What does arbitrator mean?
An arbitrator is a neutral party formally appointed to settle a dispute between others, particularly in legal, commercial, or industrial settings. Unlike a mediator, who merely facilitates negotiation without deciding anything, an arbitrator listens to both sides and delivers a judgment that, in formal arbitration, is binding. The role appears frequently in labour relations, where unions and employers submit unresolved conflicts to arbitration rather than striking or litigating, as well as in contract disputes and professional sports. The word also has a looser figurative sense: someone widely respected may be called an arbitrator of taste, fashion, or policy, meaning their opinion effectively decides what counts as good or acceptable. Because the term implies neutrality and final authority, calling someone an arbitrator suggests they hold genuine power over the outcome. It derives ultimately from Latin arbiter, meaning judge or witness, making it closely related to words like arbitrate, arbitration, and arbiter itself.
A person officially appointed to settle a dispute between parties, whose decision is typically final and binding.
"The union and management agreed to appoint an arbitrator before taking further strike action."
In formal legal usage, the arbitrator's award or ruling is enforceable; the term implies neutrality and delegated authority rather than elected or hereditary office.
A person regarded as having decisive authority or influence over judgments in a particular field.
"He became the unofficial arbitrator of which new restaurants were worth visiting."
This extended sense is figurative and somewhat elevated in register.
Standard English plural; used when referring to multiple dispute-settlers, such as panels of three arbitrators common in commercial arbitration.
"The case was heard by a panel of three arbitrators drawn from different industries."
In ancient Rome, the arbiter was literally a third person standing by to watch — which is why 'arbiter' shares its root with 'arbitrator' and even gives us the word 'arbitrary'.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of arbitrator
The word arbitrator comes from the Latin arbiter, meaning a judge, witness, or one who watches and decides, formed from ar- (a variant of ad-, 'to') combined with bitar/itare relating to coming or going. It entered English via medieval Latin arbitrator in the late Middle Ages, with its modern legal senses developing through the early modern period. It shares this root with arbiter, arbitrate, and arbitration, and more distantly connects to arbitrary and arboretum through related Latin derivatives.
Related word forms
How arbitrator is actually used
Arbitrator is primarily a formal and legal term, most often encountered in contexts of labour disputes, contract disagreements, and sports officiating. It carries connotations of neutrality and authority: an arbitrator is expected to be impartial, and in formal arbitration the arbitrator's ruling is generally binding. The word is rarely used in casual conversation except metaphorically.
Easily confused with arbitrator
An arbiter is any person with authority to judge or decide (often figuratively, as in 'an arbiter of taste'), while an arbitrator specifically settles formal disputes, typically through a legal arbitration process.
A mediator helps the parties reach their own agreement and has no power to impose a solution, whereas an arbitrator hears both sides and issues a decision that is usually final and binding.