Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Tribulation \Trib`u*la"tion\, n. [OE. tribulacium, F.
   tribulation, L. tribulatio, from tribulare to press, afflict,
   fr. tribulum a thrashing sledge, akin to terere, tritum, to
   rub. See {Trite}.]
   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.

Source : WordNet®

tribulation
     n : an annoying or frustrating or catastrophic event; "his
         mother-in-law's visits were a great trial for him"; "life
         is full of tribulations"; "a visitation of the plague"
         [syn: {trial}, {visitation}]