arbitration

[ahr-bi-trey-shuh n]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR arbitration ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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.

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

Nearby words

Origin of arbitration

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin arbitrātiōn- (stem of arbitrātiō), equivalent to arbitrāt(us) (see arbitrate) + -iōn- -ion

SYNONYMS FOR arbitration

1. See mediation.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR arbitration ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

ar·bi·tra·tion·al, adjectivear·bi·tra·tion·ist, nounpro·ar·bi·tra·tion, adjectivepro·ar·bi·tra·tion·ist, noun, adjective

re·ar·bi·tra·tion, noun

Can be confusedarbitration mediation (see synonym study at mediation)

Arbitration, The

noun

a comedy (c300 b.c.) by Menander, extant only as a fragment.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for arbitration

After two years, the dispute ended with an arbitration ruling in favor of Savage.
The Godfather of Right-Wing Radio|Caitlin Dickson|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The suit was tossed out of a Brooklyn courthouse because it was already ordered to arbitration by a California court.
His Reputation Precedes Him: Dov Charney’s Blacklist|Justin Jones|June 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The case is being heard at the Permanent Court of Arbitration, also located in The Hague.
Serbia and Croatia’s Competing Genocide Claims|Adam LeBor|March 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But when they came together in what worked like an arbitration process, they found common ground.
CEO Solutions to the Shutdown|William L. McComb|October 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST

An appeals process also allows accused players to confront and question witnesses before an arbitration panel.
Major League Baseball’s Planned Suspensions Are Already a Bust|David Roth|June 5, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The arbitration of bishops had the force of positive law, and judges were instructed to execute the episcopal decrees.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume IV|John Lord
The treaty of arbitration must stipulate the principles according to which the arbitrators have to give their verdict.
International Law. A Treatise. Volume II (of 2)|Lassa Francis Oppenheim
In 1872 he was counsel for the United States in the “Alabama” arbitration.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 1|Various
In the San Juan arbitration he displayed great versatility and skill, winning his case before the emperor with brilliant ease.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 2|Various
He named Professor Lammasch, who, as we have seen, had acted in the arbitration with Venezuela in 1903.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 4|Various

British Dictionary definitions for arbitration

arbitration

noun

law the hearing and determination of a dispute, esp an industrial dispute, by an impartial referee selected or agreed upon by the parties concerned

international law the procedure laid down for the settlement of international disputes

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 arbitration

arbitration

late 14c., "absolute decision," from Old French arbitracion, from Latin arbitrationem (nominative arbitratio) "judgment, will," noun of action from past participle stem of arbitrari "to be of an opinion, give a decision," from arbiter (see arbiter). Meaning "settlement of a dispute by a third party" is from 1630s.

Culture definitions for arbitration

arbitration

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.