referee

n. the official who makes sure players follow the rules during a sports match.

n. an official who oversees a sports match to ensure adherence to the rules and to adjudicate on play.

“The referee blew his whistle to stop the game after a foul.”

“The referee faced intense scrutiny from the media after several controversial decisions influenced the final score of the championship match.”

n. a person who provides a letter or statement about your character and abilities when you apply for a job.

n. a person who provides a professional or character reference for a job applicant. In American English, the term 'reference' is more common for the person.

“I asked my former manager to be a referee for my new job application.”

“Candidates are required to provide the contact details of two referees who can attest to their professional conduct and technical expertise.”

British English

n. an expert who reads a researcher's work to decide if it is good enough to be published.

n. an expert in a specific field who evaluates a manuscript to determine its suitability for publication in a journal.

“The journal sent the article to a referee for a blind review.”

“The author spent three months addressing the detailed criticisms provided by the anonymous referee before the paper was finally accepted.”

Academic · Formal

v. to act as the official in a sports match.

v. to perform the duties of a referee in a sporting contest or dispute.

“She was invited to referee the final match of the tournament.”

“He has been refereeing professional football for over a decade, earning a reputation for his calm handling of high-pressure situations.”