tribunal

noun

tri·​bu·​nal trī-ˈbyü-nᵊl How to pronounce tribunal (audio)
tri-
1
: a court or forum of justice
2
: something that decides or determines
the tribunal of public opinion
3

Example Sentences

An international tribunal was formed to deal with war crimes. was tried before a military tribunal and found not guilty of the charges
Recent Examples on the Web In 2016, in a case brought by the Philippines, an international tribunal in the Hague ruled that China’s claim to historic rights to the bulk of the sea had no legal basis. Ivan Watson, CNN, 24 Feb. 2023 Later this month, Alexander plans to appeal his original suspension to the provincial human rights tribunal, which would bring his case before a school board panel. Jon Brown, Fox News, 7 Feb. 2023 That, to me, is the equivalent of Sam getting home in Quantum Leap, or the military tribunal catching then in The A-Team. Evan Romano, Men's Health, 26 Jan. 2023 She was put on trial before a military tribunal in her own throne room. Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, BostonGlobe.com, 22 Jan. 2023 Kim, then a prominent opposition leader, was initially sentenced to death by a military tribunal on accusations of fomenting the Gwangju uprising. NBC News, 28 Nov. 2021 Chun’s military tribunal arrested prominent opposition leader Kim Dae-jung and sentenced him to death for allegedly fomenting the Gwangju uprising. Fox News, 23 Nov. 2021 Chun’s military tribunal arrested opposition leader Kim Dae-jung and sentenced him to death for allegedly fomenting the Gwangju uprising. Hyung-jin Kim, Anchorage Daily News, 23 Nov. 2021 Ayari says he has been tried by a military tribunal nine times, leading to three sentences. Francesca Ebel, ajc, 21 Nov. 2021 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tribunal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin, platform for magistrates, from tribunus tribune

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of tribunal was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near tribunal

Cite this Entry

“Tribunal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tribunal. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

tribunal

noun
tri·​bu·​nal trī-ˈbyün-ᵊl How to pronounce tribunal (audio)
trib-ˈyün-
1
: the seat of a judge
2
: a court of justice
3
: something that decides or determines
the tribunal of public opinion

Legal Definition

tribunal

noun
tri·​bu·​nal trī-ˈbyün-ᵊl, tri- How to pronounce tribunal (audio)
1
: the seat of a judge or one acting as a judge
2
: a court or forum of justice : a person or body of persons having to hear and decide disputes so as to bind the parties
Etymology

Latin, platform for magistrates, from tribunus tribune, from tribus tribe

More from Merriam-Webster on tribunal

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