arbitrator

noun

ar·​bi·​tra·​tor ˈär-bə-ˌtrā-tər How to pronounce arbitrator (audio)
Synonyms of arbitratornext
: one that arbitrates a dispute : arbiter
an impartial arbitrator

Synonyms of arbitrator

Relevance
See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of arbitrator in a Sentence

Both sides agreed to accept a decision by an impartial arbitrator. the couple finally agreed to let the salesclerk be the final arbitrator and tell them which shirt looked best
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Cases are decided by baseball-style arbitration − a process in which the arbitrator must award either the amount proposed by the insurance plan or what the medical provider asks. — Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 An arbitrator has ordered The Washington Post to reinstate a Black opinion writer fired over social media posts about violent white men following last year’s killing of Charlie Kirk. — Corey Williams, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026 The Associated Press An arbitrator has ordered The Washington Post to reinstate a Black opinion writer fired over social media posts about violent white men following last year's killing of Charlie Kirk. — ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026 The arbitrator determined Sohn should be reinstated without back pay and trained on the most current pursuit policy, with any future violations resulting in immediate termination. — Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for arbitrator

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Medieval Latin arbitrātor "umpire," from Latin arbitrārī "to consider, judge, arbitrate" + -tor, agent suffix

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of arbitrator was in the 15th century

Rhymes for arbitrator

See All Rhymes for arbitrator

Browse Nearby Words

arbitrative
arbitrator
arbitrement
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Arbitrator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arbitrator. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

arbitrator

noun
ar·​bi·​tra·​tor ˈär-bə-ˌtrāt-ər How to pronounce arbitrator (audio)
: a person chosen to settle differences in a disagreement

Legal Definition

arbitrator

noun
ar·​bi·​tra·​tor ˈär-bə-ˌtrā-tər How to pronounce arbitrator (audio)
: an impartial person or group that is given the power by disputing parties to resolve their dispute compare mediator
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All