Definition of referee
(Entry 1 of 2)
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: a person who reviews a paper and especially a technical paper and recommends that it should or should not be published
2
: a sports official usually having final authority in administering a game
referee
verb
refereed; refereeing
Definition of referee (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to conduct (a match or game) as referee
2a
: 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
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Test Your Vocabulary
More Confusing Words—Quiz
-
- The magician
______
moved the selected card to the top of the deck.

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Share referee
Time Traveler for referee
The first known use of referee was in 1549
See more words from the same year