umpire

[ uhm-pahyuhr ]

noun

1. a person selected to rule on the plays in a game.

   Synonyms: arbitrator, arbiter, referee

2. one selected to settle disputes about the application of settled rules or usages; a person agreed on by disputing parties to arbitrate their differences.

verb (used with object)

, um·pired, um·pir·ing.

1. to act as umpire in (a game).
2. to decide or settle (a controversy, dispute, or the like) as umpire; arbitrate.

verb (used without object)

, um·pired, um·pir·ing.

1. to act as umpire.

umpire

/ ˈʌmpaɪə /

noun

1. an official who rules on the playing of a game, as in cricket or baseball
2. a person who rules on or judges disputes between contesting parties

verb

1. to act as umpire in (a game, dispute, or controversy)

Derived Forms

• ˈumpireship, noun

Other Words From

• un·umpired adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of umpire¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English umpere, variant of noumpere ( a noumpere taken as an oumpere; adder ¹, apron ), from Old French nomper, nonper “arbiter,” i.e., “one not equal.” See non-, peer ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of umpire¹

C15: by mistaken division from a noumpere, from Old French nomper not one of a pair, from nom-, non- not + per equal, peer ¹

Synonym Study

See judge.

Example Sentences

Minimum-wage increase imperiled in covid relief bill by Senate official’s rulingParliamentarians are essentially the umpires of the Senate, ensuring that lawmakers follow the rules that govern how legislation moves forward.

From Washington Post

Somehow, the umpire is there to make the “out” call, and so is the batter to angrily contest it, hands clenched in fists.

From Washington Post

Two games later, she demanded that the umpire apologize for “stealing” a point from her.

From Washington Post

During the second set, the chair umpire warned Williams about violating rules by getting signals from her coach.

From Washington Post

In most professional tennis matches, the main umpire — called the chair umpire — sits right beside the net.

From Science News For Students

Clark, the first Jewish American League umpire, adjudicated baseball for three decades.

From The Daily Beast

After the third pitch the umpire told him to take first base.

From The Daily Beast

Ruth demanded the home plate umpire inspect the ball, according to multiple writers on hand.

From The Daily Beast

Jahn confirms it: “He does slam down the bat, and he gives the umpire a dirty look.”

From The Daily Beast

But no one would seriously contend that Roberts has been a neutral umpire.

From The Daily Beast

He displays marvellous bravery in facing the fighting crowds, and they choose him to be umpire.

From Project Gutenberg

The umpire's first decision was usually his last; they broke him in two with a bat, and his friends toted him home on a shutter.

From Project Gutenberg

The war of preparations that has been going on for thirty years may end like a sham-fight at last in an umpire's decision.

From Project Gutenberg

When I umpire such an action through the tent flap it is very seldom that I could announce the bug "safe."

From Project Gutenberg

He became the umpire of taste, and his word was received as the fiat of fashion.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• arbitrator
• judge
• ref
• referee
• ump

More About Umpire

What does umpire mean?

An umpire is a kind of referee who enforces the rules during certain sports, such as baseball, softball, and cricket.

In higher levels of baseball and softball, there are often multiple umpires on the field. They are primarily responsible for determining whether base runners are “safe” or “out.” The most important one is the home plate umpire, who determines whether each pitch is a “ball” or a “strike.”

Umpire is also sometimes used to refer to someone who acts as an impartial judge during some kind of conflict, such as two friends having an argument, as in Jane and Mike were losing their tempers with each other at the meeting so I had to step in and act as an umpire until they calmed down. 

Less commonly, umpire can be used as a verb meaning to perform the duties of an umpire, as in I signed up to umpire my daughter’s softball games. 

An informal short form of umpire is ump, which can also be used as both a noun and a verb. It’s especially used as an informal way to address an umpire, as in Hey, ump, that was way out of the strike zone!

Example: The umpire called him out, but I’m pretty sure he was safe.

Where does umpire come from?

The first records of the word umpire come from the 1300s. It comes from the Old French nomper, meaning “arbiter” or “one who is not equal,” from non-, “not,” and per, “peer” or “equal.” Nomper was adopted into Middle English as noumpere but eventually became umpere—the first two letters were struck out because people heard “a noumpere” as “an umpere.” This is called metanalysis, and the same thing happened in words like apron (originally napron) and nickname (originally ekename).

Umpires are most commonly associated with baseball, but other sports have umpires. In professional American football, the umpire is one of several officials who each have different titles and responsibilities. Tennis has chair umpires and line umpires. In other sports, the person in this position is called a referee or judge. In all such cases, the role of the umpire or referee is to be an enforcer of the rules who does not favor either player or team. Being an umpire is often seen as a thankless job since players and fans are known for arguing with their calls (which, yes, are sometimes terrible).

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for umpire?

• ump
• referee
• judge
• arbitrator
• arbiter

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

• peer

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

• baseball
• softball
• tennis
• rules
• call
• strike
• ball
• safe
• out

How is umpire used in real life?

The word umpire is most commonly associated with baseball, but the title is used in other sports.

Umpire just told Beltre to get in the on-deck circle. Beltre responded by dragging the on-deck circle to where he was standing. Ejected.

— Levi Weaver (@ThreeTwoEephus) July 27, 2017

Serena Williams was cheated because an umpire you've never heard of, Carlos Ramos, had his feelings hurt, and needed to exert his authority. Serena is right that it was unfair and wrong. Ramos should have been overruled, and his penalty should he never to umpire a match again.

— Tony Schwartz (@tonyschwartz) September 8, 2018

Put another way, Facebook is happy to let factcheckers act as umpire and call balls and strikes. But if the game plays out in a way the company doesn't like, Facebook has no problem going back to fix the score.

— Ryan Mac 🙃 (@RMac18) August 7, 2020

 

 

Try using umpire!

Is umpire used correctly in the following sentence?

I ended up having to umpire their argument by acting as the voice of reason.