referee
Americannoun
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one to whom something is referred, especially for decision or settlement; arbitrator.
- Synonyms:
- arbiter
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(in certain games and sports) a judge having functions fixed by the rules of the game or sport; umpire.
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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.
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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)
verb (used without object)
noun
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a person to whom reference is made, esp for an opinion, information, or a decision
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the umpire or judge in any of various sports, esp football and boxing, responsible for ensuring fair play according to the rules
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a person who is willing to testify to the character or capabilities of someone
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law See Official Referee
verb
Usage
What does referee mean? The word referee most commonly refers to an official in a sporting event who enforces the rules of the game.In sports, referees do things like call fouls and stop play when there has been a violation of the rules. Basketball, football, and soccer are examples of sports that used this kind of referee. In the context of sports, the word referee is commonly shortened with the informal term ref.The word referee is also sometimes used to refer to a person who acts as a formal authority or arbitrator in some kind of decision, such as a legal case. Sometimes, the word refers to a person who’s responsible for reviewing scientific or academic papers or grant proposals.Referee can also be used in a figurative way to refer to someone who has to enforce the rules in some situation, as in I spent the afternoon playing referee to several toddlers.In all of its senses, referee can be used as a verb meaning to act as a referee, as in I signed up to referee my daughter’s soccer games. Example: I’ve never understood why players argue with referees—have you ever seen one reverse their call?
Related Words
See judge.
Etymology
Origin of referee
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.
Ifab is expected to approve video assistant referee reviews for wrongly awarded second yellow cards and, as a competition opt-in, corners.
From BBC
From serving as the Republic of Ireland's kitman at two World Cups and a European Championship, to refereeing behind the Iron Curtain, the Dubliner has an almost legendary status.
From BBC
But after a lengthy VAR review, the referee overturned his decision to leave Milan's title hopes hanging by a thread.
From Barron's
Referee Ryan Lee gave no foul and video assistant referee David Dickinson ruled the incident to be outside the box and not denying a goalscoring opportunity.
From BBC
But Ano warned another major problem stands in the way of the Olympic dream: complex officiating that makes it difficult to train new referees.
From Barron's
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.
