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to arbitrate

to arbitrate

5 6.9
To act as a fair person who decides how to end an argument between others
  • verb
  • /ˈɑːrbɪtreɪt/
translation icon : arbitrar
  • The manager was asked to arbitrate the disagreement between the two employees.
  • arbitrate disputes
  • arbitrate claims
  • agreement to arbitrate

But if there's two machines wanting to transmit, then we need some way of arbitrating which one gets access.

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Examples

  • In the United States, these matters are usually contractual issues that are arbitrated by nonstate officials when disputes arise.

    Academic text (2002)
  • When Spain and Portugal had conflicting claims, they turned to Pope Alexander VI to arbitrate their dispute.

    Academic text (1993)
  • And, and how are you going to arbitrate between these different world views?

  • I do not seek to arbitrate the individual claims to invention.

    Academic text (2016)
  • Is it that you believe I have nothing better to do than arbitrate in your quarrels?

  • Bring your arbitrations to the United States because here you can arbitrate anything.

    Academic text (1991)
  • Before Gilmer, only a handful of employers had required their workers to arbitrate disputes.

    Academic text (2001)
  • Whether it is antitrust, securities, RICO, or patent claims, the United States can arbitrate it.

    Academic text (1991)
  • There is great potential, too, in arbitrating or mediating financial disputes between hospitals and patients or third-party payers.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Peer mediation programs whereby an impartial set of peers listens to a dispute and then arbitrates between the two sides.

    Academic text (2000)

Synonyms

to decide
vsto arbitrate
1.0

To end a disagreement by choosing a final outcome

is decided by a neutral outsider instead of a party's own choice
to settle
vsto arbitrate
596 3.3

To end an argument by agreement or decision

is done by a neutral outsider rather than by the parties
to adjudicate
vsto arbitrate
  • Formal
17 7.8

To make an official decision about a disagreement, often in court or a contest

is carried out by a neutral outsider rather than an official authority
to arbit
vsto arbitrate
  • Archaic
9.9

To settle a disagreement by acting as a fair judge

is the standard full form with identical meaning

How Involved

to intervene
197 5.0
to arbitrate
5 6.9
to mediate
32 5.1
to intercede
15 6.7
to stand up for
256 2.7
to support
1.0

Surface Forms

arbitrate infinitive
arbitrated past
arbitrated past participle
arbitrating present participle
arbitrates third person singular

Morphology

arbitrate = arbiter (transparent) = arbiter + ate

The verb is formed by the productive verb-forming suffix '-ate' added to the noun 'arbiter', yielding 'to act as an arbiter' which matches the sense.

Etymology

Arbitrate comes from the old Latin word arbiter, which means 'judge' or 'person who decides'. You can see the same root in arbitrator, and that's why to arbitrate is to act like a fair judge who listens to both sides and makes a decision for them.