tribunate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Historical, Academic
Quick answer
What does “tribunate” mean?
The office, period of office, or territory governed by a tribune in ancient Rome.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The office, period of office, or territory governed by a tribune in ancient Rome.
A period of holding a position of political representation, advocacy, or power, especially one associated with defending popular rights.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or spelling. Usage is equally rare in both dialects.
Connotations
Historical or scholarly in both. Can carry a slightly archaic, elevated tone.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. Most commonly encountered in historical texts, academic discussions of Roman history, or high-level political rhetoric.
Grammar
How to Use “tribunate” in a Sentence
the tribunate of [Person/Group]held the tribunate for [Period]elevated to the tribunateVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical studies, political science, and classical literature to describe the Roman political institution.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be used in highly educated circles as a metaphor.
Technical
Specific term in Roman historiography and political history.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tribunate”
- Confusing 'tribunate' with 'tribune' (the person) or 'tribunal' (a court).
- Using it as a synonym for any modern political office without historical or figurative context.
- Incorrect pluralisation ('tribunates' is correct).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a rare, formal word primarily used in historical or academic contexts related to ancient Rome.
Only figuratively. It might be used metaphorically to describe a period where someone acts as a forceful advocate or representative of a group, evoking the Roman model.
A 'tribune' is the person who holds the office. The 'tribunate' is the office itself, the period of time they hold it, or the collective institution.
In British English: /ˈtrɪbjʊnət/. In American English: /ˈtrɪbjənət/. The main difference is the treatment of the 'u' vowel.
The office, period of office, or territory governed by a tribune in ancient Rome.
Tribunate is usually formal, historical, academic in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a tribunate of the people”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'TRIbe' + 'UNATE' (unite). The Roman tribune united and represented the plebeian tribes; his office was the TRIBUNATE.
Conceptual Metaphor
A TRIBUNATE IS A SHIELD (for popular rights). / A TRIBUNATE IS A PLATFORM (for advocacy).
Practice
Quiz
What is the core meaning of 'tribunate'?