ref·er·ee
ˌre-fə-ˈrē 
1
: one to whom a thing is referred: such as
a
: a person to whom a legal matter is referred for investigation and report or for settlement
b
: a person who reviews a paper and especially a technical paper and recommends that it should or should not be published
c
chiefly British
: reference sense 4a
2
: a sports official usually having final authority in administering a game
refereed; refereeing
1
: to conduct (a match or game) as referee
2
a
: to arbitrate (something, such as a legal matter) as a judge or third party
b
: to review (something, such as a technical paper) before publication
: to act as a referee
Examples of referee in a Sentence
Noun
served as the unofficial referee in disputes over the family business
Verb
She refereed the basketball game.
He has refereed for several years now.
Recent Examples on the Web
Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
James was hit in the face by Timberwolves forward Julius Randle, 30, in the fourth quarter of Game 2 in Los Angeles' first-round playoff series, and stayed on the floor for several minutes as referees discussed the call.
—Natasha Dye, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Janine Henni, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025
The club said in a statement to Local 10 that referees and parents attempted lifesaving measures but were unsuccessful.
—Karen Fratti, People.com, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for referee
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Noun
The referees upgraded it from a minor due to the ‘degree of violence’ as per Rule 56.5, and upheld the original call after video review.
—Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
James was hit in the face by Timberwolves forward Julius Randle, 30, in the fourth quarter of Game 2 in Los Angeles' first-round playoff series, and stayed on the floor for several minutes as referees discussed the call.
—Natasha Dye, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
Participants will learn how to referee grassroots games efficiently in a program for individuals over age 14 who hope to referee mini football, 9v9 and 11v11 games.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025
The club said in a statement to Local 10 that referees and parents attempted lifesaving measures but were unsuccessful.
—Karen Fratti, People.com, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for referee
Cite this Entry
“Referee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/referee. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
referee
1 of 2 noun
ref·er·ee
ˌref-ə-ˈrē
1
: a person to whom something that is to be investigated or decided is referred
2
: a sports official usually having final authority in conducting a game
referee
2 of 2 verb
refereed; refereeing
: to conduct as a referee
Legal Definition
referee
noun
ref·er·ee
ˌre-fə-ˈrē
: an officer appointed by a court or quasi-judicial body (as a workers' compensation board) to investigate a case, report findings, and often to make orders subject to review
the board may affirm, reverse, modify or supplement the order of the referee—Oregon Revised Statutes
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