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arbitrator

/ˌɑrbəˈtreɪdər/
/ˈɑbətreɪtə/
IPA guide

Other forms: arbitrators

An arbitrator is someone who helps resolve a dispute. If you and your sibling are butting heads over whose turn it is to clean the bathroom, you may need the assistance of an arbitrator.

In legal terms, an arbitrator is the impartial judge of a case settled outside of a courtroom. Their job is to carefully consider both sides and make a decision, without the expense and time involved in going before an actual judge or jury. As a neutral decider whose decision is authoritative, an umpire or referee is another good example of an arbitrator. The Latin root of arbitrator is arbiter, "judge."

Definitions of arbitrator
  1. noun
    someone chosen to judge and decide a disputed issue
    “the arbitrator's authority derived from the consent of the disputants”
    synonyms: arbiter, umpire
    see moresee less
    types:
    third party
    someone other than the principals who are involved in a transaction
    type of:
    evaluator, judge
    an authority who is able to estimate worth or quality
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