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

San José State University must reinstate Sang Hea Kil, a professor who was fired for her pro-Palestinian activism in 2025, after an arbitrator decided the school went too far in her firing. — Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 24 June 2026

Commissioner Rob Manfred originally issued Bauer an unprecedented 324-game suspension, which an independent arbitrator later reduced to 192 games. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026

The players union and Rozier again filed a grievance; the arbitrator ruled for the NBA. — Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 11 June 2026

An arbitrator in late May ruled that Rozier breached his contractual obligations to play for the Heat, according to details included in Wednesday’s motion, and that Rozier must forfeit most of his $26.6 million salary with the Heat from this past season. — Anthony Chiang june 4, Miami Herald, 4 June 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