tribune

n. an official in Ancient Rome who was chosen to protect the rights of ordinary people.

n. an officer in Ancient Rome, specifically a 'tribunus plebis' elected to protect the interests and rights of the plebeians from the patricians.

“In Ancient Rome, a tribune had the power to stop laws that hurt the poor.”

“The tribune exercised his right of veto to block the senate's decree, effectively shielding the common citizens from the proposed tax increase.”

Formal

n. a person who speaks up for the rights of the public or a specific group.

n. a person who upholds or defends the rights of the people; a popular leader or orator acting as a public champion.

“The journalist was seen as a tribune for the working class.”

“Throughout his political career, he styled himself as a tribune of the people, using his oratorical skills to challenge the established elite.”

Literary · Formal

n. a raised area or platform in a large building where people can speak or sit.

n. a raised platform or gallery, or the vaulted apse in a basilica or church where the bishop's throne was traditionally placed.

“The speaker stood on the tribune to address the crowd in the hall.”

“The architect designed a marble tribune at the far end of the hall to serve as a focal point for official ceremonies.”

Technical