tribunal

noun

tri·​bu·​nal trī-ˈbyü-nᵊl How to pronounce tribunal (audio)
tri-
Synonyms of tribunalnext
1
: a court or forum of justice
2
: something that decides or determines
the tribunal of public opinion
3
: tribune entry 2

Synonyms of tribunal

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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
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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Based upon their replies, occupying Allied officials ranked their culpability, then tried the worst offenders — most famously in the Nuremberg trials, but also in numerous local tribunals. — Fern Schumer Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026 And in 2025, a tribunal in Dhaka sentenced her to death in absentia for alleged crimes against humanity, among other charges, for her role in the crackdown during the protests. — Shamim Chowdhury, NPR, 5 Aug. 2026 The hearing will mark the first public proceeding in the court’s history after Congress created the specialized tribunal in 1996 but never used it. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 30 July 2026 After the tribunal concluded, the Riveras and Trotskys often dined together and took picnics and excursions around Mexico City. — Literary Hub, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for tribunal

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of tribunal was in the 15th century

Rhymes for tribunal

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Browse Nearby Words

tribuna
tribunal
tribunate
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Cite this Entry

“Tribunal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tribunal. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

tribunal

noun
tri·​bu·​nal trī-ˈbyün-ᵊl How to pronounce tribunal (audio)
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- How to pronounce tribunal (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on tribunal

Nglish: Translation of tribunal for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tribunal

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