tribunal

tri·bu·nal   (trī-byōō'nəl, trĭ-)    n.   Law A seat or court of justice. The bench on which a judge or other presiding officer sits in court. A committee or board appointed to adjudicate in a particular matter. Something that has the power to determine or judge: the tribunal of public opinion. [Middle English, from Old French, from Latin tribūnal, judge's platform, from tribūnus, tribune; see tribune1.]

Main Entry: tri·bu·nal
Pronunciation: trI-'byün-^&l, tri-
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin, platform for magistrates, from tribunus tribune, from tribus tribe
1 : the seat of a judge or one acting as a judge
2 : a court or forum of justice : a person or body of persons having to hear and decide disputes so as to bind the parties