tribune

1 of 2

noun (1)

tri·​bune ˈtri-ˌbyün 

tri-ˈbyün

1

: a Roman official under the monarchy and the republic with the function of protecting the plebeian citizen from arbitrary action by the patrician magistrates

2

: an unofficial defender of the rights of the individual

tribuneship

ˈtri-ˌbyün-ˌship 

tri-ˈbyün-

noun

tribune

2 of 2

noun (2)

: a dais or platform from which an assembly is addressed

Synonyms

Noun (2)

• dais
• platform
• podium
• rostrum
• stage
• stand

Examples of tribune in a Sentence

Noun (2)

addressed the vast crowd from the tribune

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

After publishing Hillbilly Elegy, Vance was widely seen as a tribune of the working class. —Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 15 July 2024

And therein might lie the answer with Dragic and those worthy of tribute from the Heat’s 36 seasons, if not necessary tribune in the rafters. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2024

The team mapped and measured all those that were accessible, totaling roughly 170 staples for the upper walls and 100 for the tribunes. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 5 Jan. 2024

Namely, Joe Biden is just too old to be a tribune of the young progressive Left. —Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 19 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Latin tribunus, from tribus tribe

Noun (2)

French, from Italian tribuna, from Latin tribunal

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

circa 1771, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

tribune

noun

tri·​bune

ˈtrib-ˌyün,

trib-ˈyün

1

: a Roman official who protected plebeian citizens from unjust action by patrician magistrates

2

: a defender of the people especially against injustice

tribuneship

-ˌship

noun