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

The arbiter said the walk-throughs at those schools were too brief and did not allow participants to view enough of the building.

From Washington Post

Then imagine waiting for a neutral arbiter to pick between the two amounts — nothing in between — and making a public decision so everyone, including your teammates, can see the goodwill fraying.

From Washington Post

Future experiments, as always, will be the ultimate arbiter in this matter.

From Nautilus

“You are the final arbiter of how honest or not your election is in your state,” Giuliani told Michigan lawmakers.

From Washington Post

One of their most popular is Kids Court, in which Alexa acts as an arbiter for kids’ inevitable fights.

From MIT Technology Review

Wintour is, simply, a great arbiter and wearer of style: She should make the list.

From The Daily Beast

And certainly no arbiter of what you should buy, wear, or eat.

From The Daily Beast

When it is convenient, the CBO is the Nonpartisan Arbiter of Absolute Truth.

From The Daily Beast

This man should be considered an arbiter of a historical woman?

From The Daily Beast

And if it gets pushed off the cliff, then who or what is our final arbiter in America?

From The Daily Beast

The Franks were accustomed to appeal to the drawn sword as being the only arbiter of existence.

From Project Gutenberg

The one whose throw was the highest was forthwith declared the rx (magister, arbiter) bibend.

From Project Gutenberg

Having got an upright judge, they must use him as the arbiter of their differences.

From Project Gutenberg

She was the dispenser of court favors, the arbiter of fortunes, the real ruler of the land.

From Project Gutenberg

And with this I conclude, inclosing to you these lines, written in your own hand, and leaving you the arbiter of their value.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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