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: a person who reviews a paper and especially a technical paper and recommends that it should or should not be published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
Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026
UConn’s Dan Hurley would have to be in the conversation, but only if the arena insurance policy covered sideline meltdowns and referee litigation.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026
Chelsea Brasted, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
Their first appearance in the FA Cup’s last 16 for 29 years meant, therefore, a first brush with this most controversial of refereeing tools.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for referee
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Noun
In a news conference earlier this week, Yormark said the league was receiving feedback about the court from players and coaches, adding that referees had complimented it.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026
UConn’s Dan Hurley would have to be in the conversation, but only if the arena insurance policy covered sideline meltdowns and referee litigation.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
The building that houses this establishment has hosted gambling, cockfighting, a gallery, a dance hall, and even boxing matches once refereed by Ernest Hemingway himself.
—Chelsea Brasted, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
Their first appearance in the FA Cup’s last 16 for 29 years meant, therefore, a first brush with this most controversial of refereeing tools.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for referee
Cite this Entry
“Referee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/referee. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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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