arbitrator

noun

ar·​bi·​tra·​tor ˈär-bə-ˌtrā-tər 

: one that arbitrates a dispute : arbiter

an impartial arbitrator

Synonyms of arbitrator

• referee
• judge
• umpire

Examples of arbitrator in a Sentence

Both sides agreed to accept a decision by an impartial arbitrator.

the couple finally agreed to let the salesclerk be the final arbitrator and tell them which shirt looked best

Recent Examples on the Web

The city had argued that arbitrator Leland Shurin overstepped his authority in his ruling. — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 11 Aug. 2026

Part of the Aphrodite field lies in Israeli waters and it’s hoped that an arbitrator will decide the percentage Israel is entitled to by next month. — Menelaos Hadjicostis, Christian Science Monitor, 9 Aug. 2026

Health-care providers were awarded nearly $15 billion last year from arbitrators called in to settle medical billing disputes, more than triple the amount in 2024. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 6 Aug. 2026

The arbitrator who oversaw those talks ruled that CPD officers, as public employees in a collective bargaining unit, have the right to have their misconduct cases heard and ruled on by a third party out of public view. — Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Medieval Latin arbitrātor "umpire," from Latin arbitrārī "to consider, judge, arbitrate" + -tor, agent suffix

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for arbitrator

• activator
• actuator
• agitator
• alligator
• allocator
• alternator
• animator
• annotator
• applicator
• aspirator
• aviator
• calculator

Kids Definition

arbitrator

noun

ar·​bi·​tra·​tor ˈär-bə-ˌtrāt-ər 

: a person chosen to settle differences in a disagreement

Legal Definition

arbitrator

noun

ar·​bi·​tra·​tor ˈär-bə-ˌtrā-tər 

: an impartial person or group that is given the power by disputing parties to resolve their dispute compare mediator