arbitrator
Americannoun
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:
Explanation
An arbitrator is someone who helps resolve a dispute. If you and your sibling are butting heads over whose turn it is to clean the bathroom, you may need the assistance of an arbitrator. In legal terms, an arbitrator is the impartial judge of a case settled outside of a courtroom. Their job is to carefully consider both sides and make a decision, without the expense and time involved in going before an actual judge or jury. As a neutral decider whose decision is authoritative, an umpire or referee is another good example of an arbitrator. The Latin root of arbitrator is arbiter, "judge."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
At launch, the American Arbitration Association is only offering its AI Arbitrator for a specific kind of case for which today’s AI is well-suited: those decided solely by documents.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 13, 2025
Arbitrator Michael Ricci ruled the state had not proven the post, on a since-deleted account, referred to the Islamic religion, but disagreed that Marlak could not be disciplined for speech posted on Facebook.
From Washington Times • Apr. 6, 2023
Arbitrator Michael Ricci ruled the state had not proven the post, on a since deleted account, referred to the Islamic religion, but disagreed that Marlak could not be disciplined for speech posted on Facebook.
From Seattle Times • Apr. 6, 2023
Arbitrator Jeffrey M Selchick said the two officers had no intention of harming the protester, 75-year-old Martin Gugino, on 4 June 2020.
From BBC • Apr. 11, 2022
The Arbitrator looked Archer up and down, his gaze resting fleetingly on the boy’s neck.
From "The Reader" by Traci Chee
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
