noun
Uncommon
tribune
TRIHB-yoon
Tribune (noun) means an elected official in ancient Rome who represented and protected the interests of ordinary citizens. Example: “The tribunes had the power to veto laws harmful to the common people.”
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."
"In ancient Rome, a tribune could stop a decision that hurt ordinary citizens."
"The tribune stood before the crowd and promised to defend the poor."
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."
"The poet became a tribune of the poor through her fiery speeches."
"He saw himself as a tribune for tenants facing unfair rent rises."
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
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Word forms
- Plural
- tribunes
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The _____ had the power to veto laws harmful to the common people.
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.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for tribune
See all rhymes for tribune →Frequently asked questions
What does “tribune” mean?
The word “tribune” means an elected official in ancient Rome who represented and protected the interests of ordinary citizens. In plain terms, historically, a Roman official who protected ordinary citizens' rights; today, used more broadly for anyone who champions the common people's interests.
How do you pronounce “tribune”?
“Tribune” is pronounced TRIHB-yoon (/ˈtɹɪbjuːn/ in IPA).
How do you use “tribune” in a sentence?
Here is “tribune” used in a sentence: “The tribunes had the power to veto laws harmful to the common people.”
What part of speech is “tribune”?
“Tribune” is a noun.
Where does the word “tribune” come from?
The word “tribune” comes from Latin. 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.
Is “tribune” a common word?
“Tribune” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “tribune” have?
“Tribune” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an elected official in ancient Rome who represented and protected the interests of ordinary citizens.
What was the role of a tribune in ancient Rome?
A tribune was an elected official in ancient Rome whose role was to represent and protect the interests of ordinary citizens, acting as a check on the power of more aristocratic officials. This official position gave the word its historical and political weight.
What does 'tribune' mean when used outside of ancient Rome?
Outside its historical Roman context, tribune can describe a person, often a writer or public speaker, who champions the causes of ordinary people. This figurative sense extends the original idea of representing and defending common citizens' interests.
Why is 'tribune' sometimes used in newspaper names?
Newspapers have historically used 'Tribune' in their names to evoke the idea of a champion or voice for ordinary people, drawing on the word's sense of a person who advocates for the common citizen. This symbolic use reflects the word's association with representing public interests rather than its literal ancient Roman office.
