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

An arbitrator overturned the police chief’s decision in 2015. —Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026

Ball will have the option of having his disciplinary case decided by an independent arbitrator rather than the Chicago Police Board. —Todd Feurer, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026

An arbitrator agreed and awarded Qualizza damages. —Paul Flahive, Austin American Statesman, 2 Mar. 2026

But the arbitrator — hired and paid jointly by both the NFL and NFLPA — had no problem with the union conducting the surveys and sharing the results privately with players and teams. —Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 26 Feb. 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