referee
[ref-uh-ree]
- one to whom something is referred, especially for decision or settlement; arbitrator.
- (in certain games and sports) a judge having functions fixed by the rules of the game or sport; umpire.
- an authority who evaluates scientific, technical, or scholarly papers, grant proposals, or the like for the publication or funding institution to which they have been submitted.
- Law. a person selected by a court to take testimony in a case and return it to the court with recommendations as to the decision.
- to preside over as referee; act as referee in.
- to act as referee.
Origin of referee
Synonyms
See more synonyms on Thesaurus.com1. arbiter. See judge.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for referee
Contemporary Examples
In the absence of any over-arching rebel military leadership, there is no one to referee disputes before they get out of hand.
During the heated contest versus Big Piney, Kane tells us that even the referee told him, “You guys are nothing but filthy slobs.”
Native American Basketball Team in Wyoming Have Hoop Dreams Of Their OwnRobert Silverman
August 31, 2014
The chants grew so loud that the referee wanted to stop the game.
An inquiry headed by the Police Ombudsman, a sort of referee figure, came down against the informer allegation.
I remember my coach standing up to a referee and another coach who challenged my right to play.
The NCAA’s First Sikh Basketball Player Memorialized at the SmithsonianSimran Jeet Singh
March 1, 2014
Historical Examples
I found him dejectedly studying an ancient copy of the "Referee."
Ruggles of Red GapHarry Leon Wilson
When forty love had been scored against me I appealed to the referee.
If the boat is upset the referee's canoe helps them to right.
Boy Scouts HandbookBoy Scouts of America
It was like the tap of the bell for a twenty-round go with the referee missin'.
Shorty McCabeSewell Ford
It's been put up to me to keep time an' referee this mix-up, and I don't want no help.
Shorty McCabeSewell Ford
referee
- a person to whom reference is made, esp for an opinion, information, or a decision
- the umpire or judge in any of various sports, esp football and boxing, responsible for ensuring fair play according to the rules
- a person who is willing to testify to the character or capabilities of someone
- law See Official Referee
- to act as a referee (in); preside (over)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for referee
n.
1620s, "person who examines patent applications" (see refer). Sporting use recorded by 1820 (specifically of baseball from 1856).
v.
1883, originally colloquial, from referee (n.). Related: Refereed; refereeing.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper