arbitrate

American  

[ahr-bi-treyt] / ˈɑr bɪˌtreɪt /

verb (used with object)

arbitrated, arbitrating

1. to decide as arbitrator or arbiter; determine.

2. to submit to arbitration; settle by arbitration.

   to arbitrate a dispute.

---

verb (used without object)

arbitrated, arbitrating

1. to act as arbitrator or arbiter; decide between opposing or contending parties or sides.

2. to submit a matter to arbitration.

arbitrate British  

/ ˈɑːbɪˌtreɪt /

verb

1. to settle or decide (a dispute); achieve a settlement between parties

2. to submit to or settle by arbitration

---

Usage

What does arbitrate mean? To arbitrate is to act as an arbitrator—an independent, impartial third party that works to settle a dispute between two opposing sides, often by making a decision that they both agree to. This process is called arbitration. Arbitrate can also mean to engage in arbitration, as in If we can’t come to an agreement, we may need to arbitrate. For a process to be considered arbitration, it must involve an arbitrator, which can be a single person or a team of people. The terms arbitrate and arbitration are 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 agree or be ordered to arbitrate. 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. The word arbitrate can also be used in a more general way meaning "to determine or settle a dispute," similar to the word mediate. However, arbitrate often implies that the process is a formal one. Example: After weeks of negotiations stalled and resulted in an impasse, the two sides agreed to enter arbitration.

Other Word Forms

• arbitrable
  adjective
• arbitrative
  adjective
• arbitrator
  noun
• rearbitrate
  verb
• unarbitrated
  adjective
• unarbitrative
  adjective
• well-arbitrated
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of arbitrate

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin arbitrātus “decided, judged,” past participle of arbitrārī “to decide, judge,” from arbit(e)r arbiter

Explanation

If your two best friends are fighting over the last piece of gum in the pack, you might arbitrate by telling them to split the last piece. Arbitrate is when a neutral third party helps end a conflict. Arbitrate derives from the Latin arbiter "judge." (An arbiter of taste is a good judge of taste.) When you arbitrate, you are doing what a judge does in a court of law. In the US, to avoid litigation, many choose non-binding arbitration—where a neutral third party suggests a settlement.

Example Sentences

Job description: Arbitrate scoring disputes, wield absurdly long measuring device, move very slowly.

From Slate • Feb. 14, 2018

Arbitrate if you have to; smooth it o’er if you must, But, be prepared for battle, to parry the war king’s thrust.

From Famous Privateersmen and Adventurers of the Sea Their rovings, cruises, escapades, and fierce battling upon the ocean for patriotism and for treasure by Johnston, Charles Haven Ladd

He was a Bachelor and had lived at a European Hotel for Years, and he knew just how to Arbitrate a Domestic Scrap.

From More Fables by Ade, George

Related Words

• adjudicate
• interpose
• intervene
• mediate
• straighten out