arbitrator

[ ahr-bi-trey-ter ]

noun

1. a person chosen to decide a dispute or settle differences, especially one formally empowered to examine the facts and decide the issue.

Word History and Origins

Origin of arbitrator¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English arbitratour, from Late Latin, from Latin arbitrātor; equivalent to arbitrate + -tor

Example Sentences

An arbitrator is "most often a lawyer who does this for a living," he said, who can "act like a judge and a jury".

From BBC

The case went to arbitration and an arbitrator found in favor of the PR firm.

From Los Angeles Times

The 1975 case involved Dodgers pitcher Andy Messersmith and prompted arbitrator Peter Seitz to strike down the reserve clause, the restrictive contract language that had kept players under perpetual team control for nearly 100 years.

From Los Angeles Times

Gibson’s attorneys, Graham and Beverly L. Cohen, first argued that an arbitrator in the couple’s divorce case found that Gibson and Lee’s premarital agreement was valid but somehow invalidated a portion of it that dealt with attorneys’ fees.

From Los Angeles Times

Other frequent participants were Michael Diliberto, a veteran arbitrator who sat on 39 boards, and Sonia Amin, an immigration attorney based in Encino, who was part of 43.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arbiter
• go-between
• judge
• mediator
• referee
• umpire