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

Beginning in 1941 in the then-territory, courts were replaced by military tribunals, strict curfews were enforced and people were even banned from photographing coastal areas. —Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 4 Dec. 2024

Military trials: Instead of civilian courts, military tribunals may handle legal matters, including criminal cases, especially for those accused of disrupting public order. —Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 4 Dec. 2024

Despite a 2016 international tribunal ruling invalidating China's claims, Beijing has continued its assertive presence in the region. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024

Many of the legal professionals who went to work for the ICC had been shaped by the experience of working for the ad hoc tribunals for Rwanda and Yugoslavia, which were relatively successful in delivering verdicts against human-rights offenders. —Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 27 Nov. 2024

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

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