arbitrator
gb/ˈɑɹbɪtɹˌeɪtɚ/ us/ˈɑɹbɪtɹˌeɪtɚ/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
legal
C1
role
1
Neutral dispute decision-maker
a person chosen to listen to both sides in an argument and decide what should happen
Usage pattern:
appoint [someone] as an arbitrator; an arbitrator in [a dispute/case]; refer [a dispute] to an arbitrator
Common mistake:
Do not confuse an arbitrator with a mediator: a mediator helps people reach agreement, but an arbitrator can make a decision for them.
Synonyms
adjudicator (a more general term for someone who makes an official decision in a dispute)
|
arbiter (similar, but often more general or literary than the legal term arbitrator)
|
referee (more informal or used in sports and competitions)
Antonyms
disputant (one of the people or groups in the dispute, not the neutral decision-maker)
|
litigant (a party in a legal case, rather than the person deciding it)
Collocations
independent arbitrator
|neutral arbitrator
|court-appointed arbitrator
|labor arbitrator
|commercial arbitrator
|appoint an arbitrator
|choose an arbitrator
|panel of arbitrators
|arbitrator's decision
|arbitrator's ruling
Themes
legal
|business
|employment
|conflict_resolution
Examples
- The union and the company agreed to appoint an independent arbitrator.
- The arbitrator ruled that the employee had been unfairly dismissed.
- Under the contract, both sides must accept the arbitrator's decision.
Learner examples
- The arbitrator listened to both sides.
- They asked an arbitrator to solve the dispute.
Noun
formal
C1
role
2
Informal final decision-maker
someone who has the final say when people cannot agree
Usage pattern:
the final/ultimate arbitrator of [something]; act as arbitrator between [people/groups]
Common mistake:
For opinions about taste, fashion, or standards, arbiter is often more natural than arbitrator.
Synonyms
arbiter (more common for a general person or authority with final judgment)
|
judge (broader and less specifically connected with resolving a dispute)
|
decider (informal and simpler)
Antonyms
advocate (someone who argues for one side rather than deciding neutrally)
|
partisan (someone strongly supporting one side, not neutral)
Collocations
final arbitrator
|ultimate arbitrator
|informal arbitrator
|act as arbitrator
|serve as arbitrator
|family arbitrator
Themes
conflict_resolution
|authority
|decision_making
Examples
- In close cases, the committee chair becomes the final arbitrator.
- In their family, their grandmother was the informal arbitrator of every serious argument.
- The safety officer is the ultimate arbitrator of whether conditions are too dangerous to continue.
Learner examples
- My teacher was the arbitrator in our argument.
Grammar
Dictionary form
arbitrator
IPA
GB/ˈɑɹbɪtɹˌeɪtɚ/
US/ˈɑɹbɪtɹˌeɪtɚ/
Syllables & stress
ar - bit - rat - or (4 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ar)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: arbitrator
- Plural: arbitrators
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.