umpire

play

noun um·pire \ˈəm-ˌpī(-ə)r\

Definition of umpire

1 : one having authority to decide finally a controversy or question between parties: such asa : one appointed to decide between arbitrators who have disagreedb : an impartial third party chosen to arbitrate disputes arising under the terms of a labor agreement
2 : an official in a sport who rules on plays
3 : a military officer who evaluates maneuvers

See umpire defined for English-language learners

See umpire defined for kids

Examples of umpire in a Sentence

usually acts as umpire in the all-too-frequent squabbles between the two other roommates

Recent Examples of umpire from the Web

Perhaps the game's signature moment occurred in the sixth when Nelson Cruz paused before his at-bat to ask NL catcher Molina to take a picture of him and plate umpire Joe West.

— paul sullivan, chicagotribune.com, "Cubs' Wade Davis gives up homer in 10th inning and American League wins All-Star Game 2-1," 11 July 2017
Wimbledon, one of the most prominent tennis tournaments in the world, was faced with a predicament today: A massive swarm of flying ants infiltrated the courts, wreaking havoc on the players, umpires, and spectators.

— devon ivie, Teen Vogue, "Wimbledon Has Become Infested With Flying Ants," 6 July 2017
As Stevenson leaves the umpire room, a deluge is drenching the field.

— matthew vantryon, Indianapolis Star, "The man behind one of minor league baseball's nicest fields," 3 July 2017
The Google letters form the audience, save for the letter L, which becomes the match's umpire.

— kevin lui, Time, "Google Doodle Celebrates 140 Years of the Wimbledon Championships," 2 July 2017
The Miami Marlins game against the Brewers was interrupted for seven minutes Friday after first-base umpire Joe West was struck in the back of the head by a ball thrown from the stands at Miller Park.

— craig davis, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Weston MLB umpire Joe West struck on head by ball thrown from stands at Marlins-Brewers game," 1 July 2017
His 40 seasons umpiring in the majors are the most by any umpire.

— rich rovito, The Seattle Times, "Umpire West hit in head by ball from Miller Park stands," 30 June 2017
The Addicts Next Door (The New Yorker) • MLB umpire saves woman from edge of Roberto Clemente Bridge (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) • Greetings, E.T. (Please Don't Murder Us.) (New York Times Magazine)

— brian manzullo, Detroit Free Press, "Going on vacation? Add these Michigan stories to your reading list," 29 June 2017
USA TODAY Sports The umpire grabbed the woman’s arm, securing it as a bystander walked by and grabbed her other arm.

— rose minutaglio, PEOPLE.com, "MLB Umpire Rescues Woman From Pittsburgh Bridge: ‘It Was Just Pure Instinct’," 29 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'umpire.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of umpire

Middle English oumpere, alteration (from misdivision of a noumpere) of noumpere, from Anglo-French nounpier, nompere, from nounpier, adjective, single, odd, from non- + per equal, from Latin par

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

umpire

verb um·pire

Definition of umpire

umpired

;

umpiring

transitive verb
: to supervise or decide as umpire
intransitive verb
: to act as umpire

See umpire defined for English-language learners

Examples of umpire in a Sentence

in our family disputes regarding the use of our home entertainment system are umpired by Dad

First Known Use of umpire

1609

UMPIRE Defined for English Language Learners

umpire

play

noun

Definition of umpire for English Language Learners

: a person who controls play and makes sure that players act according to the rules in a sports event (such as a baseball game or a cricket or tennis match)

umpire

verb

Definition of umpire for English Language Learners

: to be an umpire in a sports event (such as a baseball game)

UMPIRE Defined for Kids

umpire

play

noun um·pire \ˈəm-ˌpīr\

Definition of umpire for Students

: an official in a sport (as baseball) who enforces the rules

Law Dictionary

umpire

noun um·pire

Legal Definition of umpire

: a person having authority to decide finally a controversy or question between parties: as a : one appointed to decide between disagreeing arbitrators b : an impartial third party chosen to arbitrate disputes arising under the terms of a labor agreement c : one appointed to mediate between the appraisers of an insured and insurer in order to determine the amount of a loss