# ombudsman

/ˈɑmbədzmən/ (US) · /ˈɒmbʌdzmən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ombudsman
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. public investigator

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

an official who investigates complaints from the public against government offices or large companies.

For teachers: an independent official appointed to investigate complaints made by individuals against public authorities or large institutions.

- If the bank does not solve your problem, you can contact the banking ombudsman.
- The energy ombudsman ruled that the utility company had overcharged the customer and ordered a full refund plus compensation.

### 2. internal mediator

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Academic

a person inside a large organisation who helps workers solve problems or disagreements fairly.

For teachers: a designated internal mediator within an organisation who assists members with conflict resolution and recommends policy improvements.

- The university ombudsman helped the student and the professor reach a fair agreement.
- The corporate ombudsman serves as a neutral party to resolve internal disputes before they escalate to formal legal action.

Usage: Often used with a modifying noun to specify the industry, such as 'financial ombudsman' or 'health ombudsman'.

## Examples

- The banking ombudsman helped me get my money back.
- If you are unhappy with the final response from your insurance provider, you can escalate the case to the ombudsman.
- The establishment of an independent ombudsman was a critical step in restoring public trust, as it provided a transparent mechanism for holding government agencies accountable for administrative failures.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.