# umpire

/ˈəmˌpaɪɝ/ (US) · /ˈʌmpaɪə/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. sports official

noun · CEFR B2

a person whose job is to make sure players follow the rules in sports like tennis, cricket, or baseball.

For teachers: an official who presides over a sporting contest to ensure adherence to the rules and to adjudicate on plays.

- The tennis umpire called the ball out, even though the player disagreed.
- The cricket umpire signaled a boundary after the ball crossed the rope, much to the delight of the home crowd.

### 2. a mediator

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a person chosen to settle a disagreement between two groups.

For teachers: a person appointed to arbitrate between contending parties or to settle a dispute.

- The two companies asked an independent umpire to help them reach an agreement.
- In complex industrial disputes, an impartial umpire is often appointed to ensure that the final settlement is fair to both the union and the management.

### 3. to officiate

verb · CEFR B2

to act as the official who controls a sports match.

For teachers: to perform the duties of an umpire in a sporting event; can be used with or without a direct object.

- He was invited to umpire the final match of the local tournament.
- She has umpired at the professional level for over a decade, earning a reputation for making consistent and fair decisions under pressure.

## Examples

- The umpire called the ball out.
- After a long argument on the court, the player finally accepted the umpire's decision and continued the match.
- In professional cricket, the field umpires are supported by a third official who reviews video footage to ensure that every decision is as accurate as possible.

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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.