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

In August 2024, a district court judge denied a motion to dismiss the first arbitrator’s decision. —Sacbee.com, 4 Dec. 2025

The arbitrator also ordered the city to pay Biscari back wages and benefits, as well as the legal costs that Local 42 accrued in pursuing the grievance. —Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 3 Dec. 2025

An arbitrator ruled that the reasons for the workers' dismissal were illegitimate and essentially told the township to reinstate the original crew. —Ross Guidotti, CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025

Range’s filing nods to findings of CAA losing the case, with arbitrators concluding that its noncompetes are invalid. —Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 25 Nov. 2025

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