arbiter

[ ahr-bi-ter ]

noun

1. a person empowered to decide matters at issue; judge; umpire.
2. a person who has the sole or absolute power of judging or determining.

arbiter

/ ˈɑːbɪtə /

noun

1. a person empowered to judge in a dispute; referee; arbitrator
2. a person having complete control of something

Other Words From

• super·arbi·ter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of arbiter¹

1350–1400; Middle English arbitour, arbitre < Anglo-French, Old French < Latin arbiter

Word History and Origins

Origin of arbiter¹

C15: from Latin, of obscure origin

Example Sentences

“Black Twitter: A People’s History” traces the path that Black Twitter took in becoming an arbiter of cultural shifts time and again.

From Los Angeles Times

The law he sought to make was to appoint himself and Republican members of Congress as the arbiters of which electors were properly elected and which were not.

From Salon

Mason denied was was claiming to be the “arbiter” of what was genocide and called for the party to be “tolerant” on such issues.

From BBC

But the 22 million Americans ages 15 to 19 exist in the wider world as well — as students, employees, neighbors and cultural arbiters.

From Los Angeles Times

It was the year that saw the genesis of internet cancel culture, in which social media became the arbiter of often contested "justice" for a swath of influencers, celebrities, politicians, and the like.

From Salon

Related Words

• arbitrator
• go-between
• mediator
• moderator
• referee