tribulation Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an annoying or frustrating or catastrophic event
    trial; visitation.
    • his mother-in-law's visits were a great trial for him
    • life is full of tribulations
    • a visitation of the plague

WordNet

Trib`u*la"tion noun
Etymology
OE. tribulacium, F. tribulation, L. tribulatio, from tribulare to press, afflict, fr. tribulum a thrashing sledge, akin to terere, tritum, to rub. See Trite.
Definitions
  1. That which occasions distress, trouble, or vexation; severe affliction.
    When tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. Matt. xiii. 21.
    In the world ye shall have tribulation. John. xvi. 33.

Webster 1913