tribune

tribune — noun

1. the word 'Tribune' used as part of the title of a newspaper, suggesting the pape

1.名詞B1
釋義

the word 'Tribune' used as part of the title of a newspaper, suggesting the paper speaks for or defends ordinary people

例句

Aminata read about the city council meeting in the Daily Tribune.

proper noun pattern: [Modifier] Tribune

The Chicago Tribune has been publishing daily since 1847.

文法句型

the [Place/Modifier] Tribune

用法筆記

In this usage 'Tribune' is always capitalised and forms part of a proper noun. It is not a standalone common noun meaning 'newspaper' — you cannot say 'I read it in the tribune.'

常見錯誤

❌I bought a tribune at the newsstand.
✅I bought a copy of the Daily Tribune at the newsstand.
💡'tribune' is not a generic word for a newspaper; it is only part of a proper title.

2. a position in the ancient Roman Republic: a person chosen by the common people (

2.名詞C1
釋義

a position in the ancient Roman Republic: a person chosen by the common people (plebeians) to defend their interests against the ruling patrician class, with the power to block unjust laws and suggest new ones

例句

The Roman tribune vetoed the law that would have raised taxes on small farmers.

tribune + veto — the key power of the office

Minho, elected as a tribune by the plebeians, fought to distribute public land to poor citizens.

同義詞
  • representative

    a modern equivalent that lacks the veto power and specific Roman context

  • plebeian advocate

    describes the function but is not a formal title

  • magistrate

    a broader category that includes tribunes but also covers other Roman officials; less precise

反義詞
  • patrician

    a member of the Roman ruling class, not an elected official

  • consul

    a higher-ranking Roman official who was not primarily a defender of plebeian interests

文法句型

a/the tribune of the plebeians

tribune + past-tense verb

用法筆記

Often appears in historical contexts with 'plebeian' or 'of the people' (tribune of the plebeians). Distinguished from a consul, who held higher executive authority, or a magistrate, who administered law — the tribune's defining power was the veto.

常見錯誤

❌Julius Caesar was a tribune before becoming dictator.
✅Julius Caesar was a consul before becoming dictator; tribunes were typically plebeian officials.
💡Caesar was a patrician and never a tribune; tribunes were specifically plebeian representatives.

3. a raised platform or stage, especially inside a church, from which a speaker add

3.名詞C1
釋義

a raised platform or stage, especially inside a church, from which a speaker addresses an audience; can also refer to a dais with seats for important figures

例句

The bishop rose from his seat on the marble tribune to address the congregation.

tribune in a church — bishop's speaking position

From the stone tribune, the speaker could see every face in the candlelit hall.

同義詞
  • dais

    a raised platform for a speaker or honoured guests, common in halls and banquet rooms

  • podium

    a small raised platform for a speaker or conductor; more general and everyday

  • pulpit

    the raised platform in a Christian church from which the sermon is delivered; more common than 'tribune'

文法句型

a/the tribune + from which/where

用法筆記

Less common than 'pulpit' for church settings; 'tribune' often implies a more elaborate or elevated structure with seating, not just a simple lectern. Also used more broadly in formal architecture for any raised speaker's platform.

常見錯誤

❌The teacher stood at the tribune to give the lesson.
✅The teacher stood at the podium to give the lesson.
💡'tribune' is too formal and rare for everyday classroom settings; use 'podium' or 'lectern' instead.