Word
arbitration
Phoneticsar·bi·tra·tion
US/ˌɑɹbɪˈtɹeɪʃən/
UK/ˌɑːbɪtɹˈeɪʃən/
Definitions
01dispute resolution
n. the process of solving a disagreement by using an independent person to make a final decision.
n. 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.
“The two companies decided to go to arbitration instead of fighting in court for years.”
“The contract includes a mandatory arbitration clause, requiring all employment disputes to be settled by a neutral panel rather than through public litigation.”
Formal · Technical
Usage
Often used with the verbs 'seek', 'enter into', or 'submit to'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02the act of judging
n. the act of acting as a judge or referee to settle an argument.
n. the exercise of power by an appointed arbiter to determine the outcome of a conflict.
“His arbitration of the family dispute helped everyone reach a fair agreement.”
“The diplomat's skillful arbitration prevented the border disagreement from escalating into a full military conflict.”
Formal
Usage
Uncountable in this sense.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Senegal have appealed that decision, with a hearing to take place behind closed doors at the court of arbitration for sport in Lausanne, Switzerland on 8 October.” “Earlier this month, their 17-year-old striker Brian Madjo – 6ft4in, body of iron ore – was cleared by the court of arbitration for sport to play competitive fixtures for the club.” Etymology
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.