arbitrate

verb

ar·​bi·​trate ˈär-bə-ˌtrāt 

arbitrated; arbitrating

transitive verb

1

: to act as arbiter upon (a disputed question) : to settle (a dispute between two people or groups) after hearing the arguments and opinions of both

She arbitrated the dispute.

2

: to submit or refer for decision to an arbiter

agreed to arbitrate their differences

3

archaic : decide, determine

intransitive verb

: to act as arbiter

The council will arbitrate among the interest groups.

arbitrative

ˈär-bə-ˌtrā-tiv 

adjective

Synonyms

• adjudge
• adjudicate
• decide
• determine
• judge
• referee
• rule (on)
• settle
• umpire

Examples of arbitrate in a Sentence

The council will arbitrate among the interest groups.

arbitrate between managers and staff

She will arbitrate the dispute.

Recent Examples on the Web

The 47th president has regularly tested the limits of executive power, setting up confrontations that the courts are likely to be arbitrating for months and years ahead. —Susan Page, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2025

In what city must disputes be brought if litigated or arbitrated? —Allbusiness, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025

Last April, Terry, Lynette and Caroline McDonough sued four PR firm defendants while Lynette and Caroline (but not Terry, who had already arbitrated against Bidwill and the team) also sued Bidwill and the Cardinals. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 Feb. 2025

Any such controversy or claim shall be arbitrated on an individual basis, and shall not be consolidated in any arbitration with any claim or controversy of any other party. —Time For Kids, TIME, 21 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin arbitrātus, past participle of arbitrārī "to consider, judge, decide," verbal derivative of arbitr-, arbiter "onlooker, arbiter"

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

Rhymes for arbitrate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

Kids Definition

arbitrate

verb

ar·​bi·​trate ˈär-bə-ˌtrāt 

arbitrated; arbitrating

1

: to settle a disagreement after hearing the arguments of both sides

arbitrate between management and labor

2

: to refer a dispute to others for settlement : submit to arbitration

Legal Definition

arbitrate

verb

ar·​bi·​trate ˈär-bə-ˌtrāt 

arbitrated; arbitrating

transitive verb

1

: to act as arbitrator for

2

: to bring to arbitration for settlement

agreed to arbitrate their dispute

intransitive verb

: to act as arbitrator

arbitrative

-ˌtrā-tiv 

adjective