trib ‧ u ‧ la ‧ tion /ˌtrɪbjəˈleɪʃ ə n, ˌtrɪbjʊˈleɪʃ ə n/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable and countable] formal
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: tribulacion , from Late Latin tribulatio , from Latin tribulare 'to press down, cause to suffer' ]
serious trouble or a serious problem:
Even close friends were unaware of the tribulations she faced.
⇨ trials and tribulations at ↑ trial 1 (5)