referee

[ref-uh-ree]

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noun

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.

verb (used with object), ref·er·eed, ref·er·ee·ing.

to preside over as referee; act as referee in.

verb (used without object), ref·er·eed, ref·er·ee·ing.

to act as referee.

Origin of referee

First recorded in 1605–15; refer + -ee

Synonyms for referee

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1. arbiter. See judge.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for referee

judge, arbiter, umpire, ref, arbitrator, arbitrate, adjudicate, conciliator, adjudicator, adjudge

Examples from the Web for referee

Contemporary Examples of referee

In the absence of any over-arching rebel military leadership, there is no one to referee disputes before they get out of hand.
Time Is Running Out for Obama on Syria
Jamie Dettmer
October 30, 2014
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 Own
Robert Silverman
August 31, 2014
The chants grew so loud that the referee wanted to stop the game.
Will Jozy Altidore Be Team USA’s World Cup Savior vs. Belgium?
Emily Shire
July 1, 2014
An inquiry headed by the Police Ombudsman, a sort of referee figure, came down against the informer allegation.
Sinn Fein Boss Gerry Adams Wanted This Murder Bust
Ed Moloney
May 1, 2014
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 Smithsonian
Simran Jeet Singh
March 1, 2014

Historical Examples of referee

I found him dejectedly studying an ancient copy of the "Referee."
Ruggles of Red Gap
Harry Leon Wilson
When forty love had been scored against me I appealed to the referee.
Punch or the London Charivari, Vol. 147, July 8, 1914
Various
If the boat is upset the referee's canoe helps them to right.
Boy Scouts Handbook
Boy Scouts of America
It was like the tap of the bell for a twenty-round go with the referee missin'.
Shorty McCabe
Sewell Ford
It's been put up to me to keep time an' referee this mix-up, and I don't want no help.
Shorty McCabe
Sewell Ford

British Dictionary definitions for referee

referee

noun

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

verb -ees, -eeing or -eed

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

1620s, "person who examines patent applications" (see refer). Sporting use recorded by 1820 (specifically of baseball from 1856).

1883, originally colloquial, from referee (n.). Related: Refereed; refereeing.