1 arbitrate | Definition of arbitrate

arbitrate

verb
ar·​bi·​trate | \ ˈär-bə-ˌtrāt How to pronounce arbitrate (audio) \
arbitrated; arbitrating

Definition of arbitrate

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.

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Other Words from arbitrate

arbitrative \ -​ˌtrā-​tiv How to pronounce arbitrative (audio) \ adjective

Examples of arbitrate in a Sentence

The council will arbitrate among the interest groups. arbitrate between managers and staff
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Recent Examples on the Web

Two weeks after filing the lawsuit, Courtright and USC agreed to arbitrate four of his seven claims. Nathan Fenno, Los Angeles Times, "Part of lawsuit by ex-USC football assistant headed to arbitration," 5 Aug. 2019 That suit was dismissed when the parties agreed to arbitrate the claim. Paige Skinner, Time, "NBA Teams Are Slowly Eliminating All-Female Dance Squads. Dancers Say That's Sexist.," 29 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'arbitrate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of arbitrate

1588, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

History and Etymology for arbitrate

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

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More Definitions for arbitrate

arbitrate

verb

English Language Learners Definition of arbitrate

: to settle an argument between two people or groups after hearing the opinions and ideas of both

arbitrate

verb
ar·​bi·​trate | \ ˈär-bə-ˌtrāt How to pronounce arbitrate (audio) \
arbitrated; arbitrating

Kids Definition of arbitrate

1 : to settle a disagreement after hearing the arguments of both sides She agreed to arbitrate their dispute.
2 : to refer a dispute to others for settlement Since we couldn't agree, we decided to arbitrate our differences.

arbitrate

verb
ar·​bi·​trate | \ ˈär-bə-ˌtrāt How to pronounce arbitrate (audio) \
arbitrated; arbitrating

Legal Definition of arbitrate

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

Other Words from arbitrate

arbitrative \ -​ˌtrā-​tiv How to pronounce arbitrative (audio) \ adjective

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More from Merriam-Webster on arbitrate

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with arbitrate

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for arbitrate

Spanish Central: Translation of arbitrate

Nglish: Translation of arbitrate for Spanish Speakers

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