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

Donald Trump has managed to outrun the law and the press not because he is faster than either, but because we live in an age in which neither serves as an arbiter of anything meaningful.

From Slate

“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

But your Scenario Two brings us this question of Congress ultimately being the arbiter of its own lawfulness and the possibility of just making up the law as it goes along.

From Slate

I think what Walker is driving at is that these efforts by DeSantis to be the sole arbiter of what is true are deeply creepy.

From Slate

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

Related Words

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