arbitrator

American  

[ahr-bi-trey-ter] / ˈɑr bɪˌtreɪ tər /

noun

1. a person chosen to decide a dispute or settle differences, especially one formally empowered to examine the facts and decide the issue.

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Usage

What is an arbitrator? An arbitrator is 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. For a process to be considered arbitration, it must involve an arbitrator, which can be a single person or a team of people. To act as an arbitrator is to arbitrate. Arbitrate can also mean to try to settle a dispute through arbitration, as in If we can’t come to an agreement, we may need to arbitrate.The terms arbitrator 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 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 bring in an arbitrator.

Etymology

Origin of arbitrator

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English arbitratour, from Late Latin, from Latin arbitrātor; equivalent to arbitrate + -tor

Compare meaning

How does arbitrator compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• arbiter vs. arbitrator

Example Sentences

Several oil companies sought compensation through international tribunals and arbitrators.

From Los Angeles Times

The tool can generate a decision much more quickly than human arbitrators, said Bridget McCormack, the AAA’s chief executive and a former chief justice of the Michigan Supreme Court.

From The Wall Street Journal

Some companies turned to international tribunals and arbitrators to extract higher payments.

From Los Angeles Times

Yet despite the fact that professional arbitrators, judges and law students have found AI Arbitrator reliable in testing, no one has opted to use it in a real-life case since its debut last month.

From The Wall Street Journal

An arbitrator ends the “reserve clause” that had tethered players to one employer for life, triggering the largest salary gains of any group of employees, anywhere—and changing labor practices in all U.S. sports.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• arbiter
• go-between
• judge
• mediator
• referee
• umpire