arbitrate
verb
ar·bi·trate
ˈär-bə-ˌtrāt 
arbitrated; arbitrating
1
: to act as arbiter upon (a disputed question) : to settle (a dispute between two people or groups) after hearing the arguments and opinions of both
She arbitrated the dispute.
2
: to submit or refer for decision to an arbiter
agreed to arbitrate their differences
: to act as arbiter
The council will arbitrate among the interest groups.
Examples of arbitrate in a Sentence
The council will arbitrate among the interest groups.
arbitrate between managers and staff
She will arbitrate the dispute.
Recent Examples on the Web
International investment treaty disputes are arbitrated under a third-party institution that employs attorneys who specialize in international law and have no particular ties to either party.
—
Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
In the event a matter must be arbitrated before a neutral arbitrator, the arbitration provision could nonetheless spell out certain criteria that the league believes are important to the league’s interests and which the arbitrator must consider in reaching a decision.
—Chris Deubert, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
The panel further critiqued the commissioner as in a conflicted position to arbitrate.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 Aug. 2025
In May, Morris filed a lawsuit asking Tarrant County courts to force the Southlake megachurch to arbitrate a dispute about his retirement pay, the Star-Telegram previously reported.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for arbitrate
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Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
In the event a matter must be arbitrated before a neutral arbitrator, the arbitration provision could nonetheless spell out certain criteria that the league believes are important to the league’s interests and which the arbitrator must consider in reaching a decision.
—Chris Deubert, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
The panel further critiqued the commissioner as in a conflicted position to arbitrate.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 Aug. 2025
In May, Morris filed a lawsuit asking Tarrant County courts to force the Southlake megachurch to arbitrate a dispute about his retirement pay, the Star-Telegram previously reported.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for arbitrate
Cite this Entry
“Arbitrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arbitrate. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
arbitrate
verb
ar·bi·trate
ˈär-bə-ˌtrāt
arbitrated; arbitrating
1
: to settle a disagreement after hearing the arguments of both sides
arbitrate between management and labor
2
: to refer a dispute to others for settlement : submit to arbitration
Legal Definition
arbitrate
verb
ar·bi·trate
ˈär-bə-ˌtrāt
arbitrated; arbitrating
1
: to act as arbitrator for
2
: to bring to arbitration for settlement
agreed to arbitrate their dispute
: to act as arbitrator
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