ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈlāshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English tribulacioun, from Old French tribulacion, from Late Latin tribulation-, tribulatio, from tribulatus (past participle of tribulare to oppress, afflict, from Latin, to press, from tribulum threshing board) + Latin -ion-, -io -ion; akin to Latin terere to rub — more at throw
: distress or suffering resulting from oppression, persecution, affliction, or sometimes contact with the physical environment
found it nothing but a burden and a tribulation — Jean Stafford
also : an instance of such suffering : a trying experience
explorers describing their hardships and tribulations — Report: Chapin Library
Synonyms: see trial