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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Tribune \Trib"une\, n. [L. tribunus, properly, the chief of a
tribe, fr. tribus tribe: cf. F. tribun. See {Tribe}.]
1. (Rom. Antiq.) An officer or magistrate chosen by the
people, to protect them from the oppression of the
patricians, or nobles, and to defend their liberties
against any attempts that might be made upon them by the
senate and consuls.
[1913 Webster]

Note: The tribunes were at first two, but their number was
increased ultimately to ten. There were also military
tribunes, officers of the army, of whom there were from
four to six in each legion. Other officers were also
called tribunes; as, tribunes of the treasury, etc.
[1913 Webster]

2. Anciently, a bench or elevated place, from which speeches
were delivered; in France, a kind of pulpit in the hall of
the legislative assembly, where a member stands while
making an address; any place occupied by a public orator.
[1913 Webster]