ENGLISH
REFERENCE

arbitration

n.
US //ˌɑɹbɪˈtɹeɪʃən// UK //ˌɑːbɪtɹˈeɪʃən// ar·bi·tra·tion
  1. 1 dispute resolution (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Technical Law

    the process of solving a disagreement by using an independent person to make a final decision.

    the formal process of resolving a dispute outside of the court system by referring it to a neutral third party whose decision is legally binding.

    Example

    The two companies decided to go to arbitration instead of fighting in court for years.

    Example

    The contract includes a mandatory arbitration clause, requiring all employment disputes to be settled by a neutral panel rather than through public litigation.

    Usage

    Often used with the verbs 'seek', 'enter into', or 'submit to'.
  2. 2 the act of judging (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    the act of acting as a judge or referee to settle an argument.

    the exercise of power by an appointed arbiter to determine the outcome of a conflict.

    Example

    His arbitration of the family dispute helped everyone reach a fair agreement.

    Example

    The diplomat's skillful arbitration prevented the border disagreement from escalating into a full military conflict.

    Usage

    Uncountable in this sense.
Origin

Etymology tree Latin arbiter Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂yéti Proto-Italic *-āō Latin -ō Latin arbitror Latin arbitratio Old French arbitrationbor. Middle English arbitracion English arbitration From Middle English arbitracion, borrowed from Old French arbitration, from Latin arbitratio, from arbitrari (“to arbitrate, judge”); see arbitrate.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Last updated June 20, 2026