arbitrators

IPA/ˈɑː.bɪ.treɪ.tər/
KK[ˈɑrbɪtrˌetɚz]IPA/ˈɑːr.bə.treɪ.t̬ɚ/

arbitrators — noun

  • arbitratorssingular
  • arbitratorsesplural

1. A neutral person officially appointed to hear the arguments of both sides in a d

1.nounB2
Definition

A neutral person officially appointed to hear the arguments of both sides in a disagreement and give a final decision that ends the conflict.

Example

The three arbitrators spent two months studying the evidence before they announced their ruling.

plural subject + ruling as the outcome

When the factory workers and the owner could not agree, independent arbitrators were called in.

passive: independent arbitrators were called in

Common collocations
  • appoint arbitrators
  • independent arbitrators
  • panel of arbitrators
  • arbitrators ruled that…
  • arbitrators awarded damages
Synonyms
  • arbiter

    more formal and literary; can refer to anyone whose opinion is respected, not just a legal official

  • mediator

    different role — a mediator suggests solutions but cannot impose a final decision; an arbitrator's ruling is binding

  • umpire

    used primarily in sports; also describes a person who settles disputes in specific competitive settings

  • referee

    similar to umpire; most common in sports, but also used in legal contexts like bankruptcy referee

Grammar Patterns

usually used in the plural form 'arbitrators'

Usage Note

This entry is the plural form of arbitrator. Use the singular form (arbitrator) when referring to one person. Both forms follow regular English noun pluralization rules. Frequently used in legal, commercial, and labor contexts.

Common Mistakes

The arbitrator was called in to mediate the dispute.
The arbitrator was called in to arbitrate the dispute.
A mediator suggests solutions; an arbitrator gives a binding decision.
He arbitrators the case.
He arbitrates the case.
'Arbitrators' is a noun, not a verb. The verb form is 'arbitrate.'

Word family

  • arbitrate
    verbC1
  • arbitration
    nounB2
  • arbitrator
    nounB2
  • arbitral
    adjectiveC2
  • arbiter
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Arbitrator, mediator, arbiter, and umpire all describe third parties who help resolve disputes, but they differ in authority and context. An arbitrator is a legally appointed or agreed-upon person whose decision is binding — both sides must follow the ruling. A mediator, by contrast, facilitates negotiation and offers suggestions, but cannot force a solution. Arbiter carries a more formal or literary tone and can refer to any respected opinion-setter (e.g., 'an arbiter of taste'). Umpire is predominantly a sports term but also appears in some legal contexts (e.g., 'contract umpire' in construction disputes). For example: 'The arbitrator ruled that the insurance company must pay the full claim'; 'The mediator helped both sides talk but they still failed to reach a deal.'

arbitratormediator ↗arbiterumpire ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • appointment of
  • panel of
  • decision by
  • ruling of

Adverbs

Phrases

  • serve as an arbitrator
  • act as an arbitrator
  • refer the matter to arbitrators

Prepositions

  • between the two parties
  • for both sides
  • in a dispute

Etymology

LatinAnglo-FrenchEnglish

Arbitrator comes from Latin 'arbitrator' meaning 'a witness or judge', derived from 'arbitrari' ('to judge, to witness'). The legal sense of an officially appointed decision-maker developed in English through Anglo-French 'arbitratour'. The word has been used in English since the 1400s.

First known use

15th century

15th century, in the meaning defined above