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
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
If hip-hop is viewed as a cultural inheritance, then its value – and what’s considered historically important – may be better arbitrated by people in the culture, not outside forces.
—A.d. Carson, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arbitrate
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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
If hip-hop is viewed as a cultural inheritance, then its value – and what’s considered historically important – may be better arbitrated by people in the culture, not outside forces.
—A.d. Carson, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 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 9 Sep. 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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