arbitration

[ ahr-bi-trey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the hearing and determining of a dispute or the settling of differences between parties by a person or persons chosen or agreed to by them:

   Rather than risk a long strike, the union and management agreed to arbitration.

2. International Law. the application of judicial methods to the settlement of international disputes.

arbitration

/ ˌɑːbɪˈtreɪʃən /

noun

1. law the hearing and determination of a dispute, esp an industrial dispute, by an impartial referee selected or agreed upon by the parties concerned
2. international law the procedure laid down for the settlement of international disputes

arbitration

1. The settling of disputes (especially labor disputes) between two parties by an impartial third party, whose decision the contending parties agree to accept. Arbitration is often used to resolve conflict diplomatically to prevent a more serious confrontation.

Other Words From

• arbi·tration·al adjective
• arbi·tration·ist noun
• proar·bi·tration adjective
• proar·bi·tration·ist noun adjective
• rear·bi·tration noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of arbitration¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin arbitrātiōn- (stem of arbitrātiō ), equivalent to arbitrāt(us) ( arbitrate ) + -iōn- noun suffix; -ion

Synonym Study

See mediation.

Example Sentences

At issue, they said, was the scope of the arbitration agreements between drivers and the companies.

From Los Angeles Times

Hearing examiners are civilians drawn from a pool of lawyers, ex-law enforcement officials and arbitration professionals.

From Los Angeles Times

A specialist in international arbitration and maritime disputes, he adds: “I’m afraid international law does not have clear-cut answers.”

From BBC

"We hold that the arbitration provision contained in the agreement under review, which Georgia or her minor daughter, while using her cell phone agreed to, is valid and enforceable," its judgement says.

From BBC

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

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adjudication
• compromise
• mediation

More About Arbitration

What does arbitration mean?

Arbitration is a process in which two parties in a dispute use an independent, impartial third party to settle the dispute, often by making a decision that they both agree to.

For a process to be considered arbitration, it must involve an impartial third party, which can be a single person or a team of people. This person or team is called an arbitrator. To act as this arbitrator is to arbitrate. Arbitrate can also mean to engage in arbitration, as in If we can’t come to an agreement, we may need to arbitrate.

The term arbitration is especially used in the context of negotiations between businesses and labor unions. When the two sides can’t agree and negotiations are unproductive, they may seek to pursue arbitration by bringing in an arbitrator.

An arbitration process in which the arbitrator’s decision must be accepted by both parties is sometimes called binding arbitration—meaning the arbitrator’s decision is final and legally binding.

Example: After weeks of negotiations stalled and resulted in an impasse, the two sides agreed to enter arbitration.

Where does arbitration come from?

The first records of the word arbitration come from the 1300s. It ultimately comes from the Latin verb arbitrāri, meaning “to give judgment.”

Arbitration is typically used in a more specific way than the word mediation. Mediation generally refers to a process in which an impartial third party (called a mediator) helps parties to settle a dispute or create agreement by acting as an intermediary. This can happen in the workplace or simply among friends, for example. In contrast, arbitration typically refers to a more formal form of mediation—often one that happens in a legal context. In this way, an arbitrator is a kind of mediator and arbitrating is a form of mediating.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to arbitration?

• arbitrational (adjective)
• arbitrate (verb)

What are some synonyms for arbitration?

• arbitrament
• adjudication

What are some words that share a root or word element with arbitration? 

 

• arbitrator
• arbitrable
• arbitrer
• arbitress
• arbitrary

 

What are some words that often get used in discussing arbitration?

 

• binding
• labor union
• dispute
• negotiations
• third party
• agreement
• compromise
• ruling
• decision
• mediation
• court

 

 

 

How is arbitration used in real life?

Arbitration is most commonly used in the context of labor disputes.

BREAKING: GAGE plans to enter arbitration proceedings with GU over alleged breach of contract. GAGE members say the university violated the terms of their union deal by deciding to no longer hold bargaining sessions with union leaders over fall graduate employee policies.

— The Hoya (@thehoya) September 18, 2020

In Houston Chronicle commentary, Harris County AFL-CIO Labor Assembly President Virginia Stogner McDavid urges Mayor @SylvesterTurner: “Enter arbitration with Houston firefighters.”https://t.co/ieBxgE9C9C

— Houston Firefighters (@FirefightersHOU) October 5, 2019

A judge had ordered the lawsuit over Ultra’s ticket refund policy to go to arbitration, citing the ticket agreement’s arbitration clause | 📸: @AliveCoverage https://t.co/vXjWyTSB3y pic.twitter.com/UG2spvzYjn

— Dancing Astronaut (@dancingastro) December 11, 2020

Try using arbitration!

True or False? 

The word arbitration typically refers to a process in which two sides come to an agreement by themselves.