noun
tribune
TRIHB-yoon
noun
1
An elected official in ancient Rome who represented and protected the interests of ordinary citizens.
"The tribunes had the power to veto laws harmful to the common people."
2
A person, often a writer or speaker, who champions the causes of ordinary people.
"The newspaper columnist was seen as a tribune for working-class readers."
How to Use Tribune
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHistorically, a Roman official who protected ordinary citizens' rights; today, used more broadly for anyone who champions the common people's interests.
Common pairings
tribune of the people
military tribune
Word Forms
tribunes plural
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Etymology
From Latin tribunus, "tribal leader," from tribus, "tribe" — the Roman office later inspired the broader, figurative sense of someone who speaks for the common people.