trīˈbyün ə l, trə̇ˈb- sometimes ˈtribyən- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin, from tribunus Roman official, judge
1. : tribune: II as
a. : the seat of a judge or one acting as a judge : the bench on which a judge and his associates sit for administering justice
b. : judgment seat
appear before the august and holy tribunal of God — J.N.Davies
2. : a court or forum of justice : a person or body of persons having authority to hear and decide disputes so as to bind the disputants
the Supreme Court is the highest tribunal of the United States
3. : something that decides or judges : something that determines or directs a judgment or course of action
the tribunal of events — George Santayana
answerable to no tribunal but that of their own judgment — Edith Wharton