tribunal

noun

tri·​bu·​nal trī-ˈbyü-nᵊl 

tri-

1

: a court or forum of justice

2

: something that decides or determines

the tribunal of public opinion

3

: tribune entry 2

Synonyms

• bar
• bench
• court
• forum

Examples of tribunal in a Sentence

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

He was initially cleared by an independent tribunal convened by the ITIA, but after an appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Sinner and WADA’s legal teams reached a case resolution agreement. —Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025

Justice delayed, and still incomplete The Khmer Rouge tribunal – officially the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia – was supposed to bring closure. —Sophal Ear, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025

There will now be an appeal in the immigration tribunal, and challenges in the judicial courts. —Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 12 Apr. 2025

The employment tribunal claims against AMV BBDO point to legal consequences for firms even before formal litigation. —Mary Johnstone-Louis, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for tribunal

• communal
• jejunal
• lagoonal
• monsoonal
• intercommunal

Kids Definition

tribunal

noun

tri·​bu·​nal trī-ˈbyün-ᵊl 

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- 

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