arbitrator

noun

ar·​bi·​tra·​tor ˈär-bə-ˌtrā-tər 

: one that arbitrates a dispute : arbiter

an impartial arbitrator

Synonyms

• 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

Milwaukee Police Association President Alex Ayala said the arbitrator deciding the police union's contract was selected through a process involving input from both the union and the city, from a list of possible arbitrators provided by the state. —Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 25 Sep. 2025

The troopers association then appealed to the Michigan Court of Appeals, which unanimously reinstated the arbitrator's finding. —Paul Egan, Freep.com, 23 Sep. 2025

While a losing party can petition a court to vacate an arbitration decision, judges are obligated under federal law to give arbitrators high deference and to only vacate an award in exceptional circumstances. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 23 Sep. 2025

DePaul was not disciplined for his actions, the union told the arbitrator. —Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 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