umpire

[uhm-pahy^uhr]

noun

1. a person selected to rule on the plays in a game.

   Synonyms: arbitrator, arbiter, referee

2. one selected to settle disputes about the application of settled rules or usages; a person agreed on by disputing parties to arbitrate their differences.

verb (used with object)

umpired, umpiring 

1. to act as umpire in (a game).

2. to decide or settle (a controversy, dispute, or the like) as umpire; arbitrate.

verb (used without object)

umpired, umpiring 

1. to act as umpire.

umpire

/ ˈʌmpaɪə /

noun

1. an official who rules on the playing of a game, as in cricket or baseball

2. a person who rules on or judges disputes between contesting parties

verb

1. to act as umpire in (a game, dispute, or controversy)

Other Word Forms

• unumpired adjective
• umpireship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of umpire¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English umpere, variant of noumpere ( a noumpere taken as an oumpere; adder ¹, apron ), from Old French nomper, nonper “arbiter,” i.e., “one not equal.” See non-, peer ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of umpire¹

C15: by mistaken division from a noumpere, from Old French nomper not one of a pair, from nom-, non- not + per equal, _peer ¹

Synonym Study

See judge.

Example Sentences

The committee for contemporary managers, executives and umpires will deliberate in 2026, with the committee for the classic era scheduled to meet in 2027 before the committee for contemporary players meets again in 2028.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He became such a good umpire that he has worked college baseball for 30 years.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The Blue Jays will feel aggrieved after a controversial umpiring call prevented them from levelling the score in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Read more on BBC

But he has not behaved like a fair umpire.

Read more on Salon

Beans Reardon on hand to see that nobody threw out the first umpire, and Babe Herman there to make sure nobody jammed up third base… former Coliseum prexy Jim Smith…

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arbitrator 
• judge 
• ref 
• referee 
• ump 

When To Use

What does umpire mean?

An umpire is a kind of referee who enforces the rules during certain sports, such as baseball, softball, and cricket.In higher levels of baseball and softball, there are often multiple umpires on the field. They are primarily responsible for determining whether base runners are “safe” or “out.” The most important one is the home plate umpire, who determines whether each pitch is a “ball” or a “strike.”Umpire is also sometimes used to refer to someone who acts as an impartial judge during some kind of conflict, such as two friends having an argument, as in Jane and Mike were losing their tempers with each other at the meeting so I had to step in and act as an umpire until they calmed down. Less commonly, umpire can be used as a verb meaning to perform the duties of an umpire, as in I signed up to umpire my daughter’s softball games. An informal short form of umpire is ump, which can also be used as both a noun and a verb. It’s especially used as an informal way to address an umpire, as in Hey, ump, that was way out of the strike zone!Example: The umpire called him out, but I’m pretty sure he was safe.