arbitrate

verb

ar·​bi·​trate ˈär-bə-ˌtrāt How to pronounce arbitrate (audio)
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 adjective

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
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.
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 McDonough was obligated to arbitrate his claims, as opposed to litigating them. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 Feb. 2025 Finally, after the Japanese crushed them at the Battle of Tsushima, the Russians agreed to peace negotiations arbitrated by the United States. Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Dec. 2024 And in March, his name was circulated as a possible candidate to chair the Expediency Council (which arbitrates disputes between parliament and the Guardian Council), a significant promotion. Sanam Vakil, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2017 See All Example Sentences for arbitrate

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of arbitrate was in 1588

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Arbitrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arbitrate. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

arbitrate

verb
ar·​bi·​trate ˈär-bə-ˌtrāt How to pronounce arbitrate (audio)
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 How to pronounce arbitrate (audio)
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 adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on arbitrate

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