noun

arbitration

/ˌɑːrbɪˈtreɪʃən/ · say it: AR·buh·TRAY·shuhn

settling a dispute through a neutral third party outside court

In more detail

1. (noun) a method of settling a disagreement in which an impartial person or group listens to both sides and makes a decision, instead of going to court

2. (noun) the process or act of serving as an arbitrator or resolving a dispute in this way

Examples

1. The labor dispute was resolved through arbitration rather than a lengthy court case.
2. The two companies agreed to arbitration to settle their contract disagreement.

How to use arbitration

Arbitration refers to a formal, structured process for resolving disputes outside of court, where a neutral third party makes a binding or non-binding decision. It is commonly used in commercial, labor, and international contexts. Unlike mediation, which seeks agreement between parties, arbitration results in a decision imposed by the arbitrator.

Common phrases

binding arbitration
international arbitration
arbitration clause
submit to arbitration
arbitration process
arbitration agreement

Synonyms

mediation · adjudication · settlement · dispute resolution · conciliation

Opposites

litigation · confrontation

Word family

arbitrator (noun) · arbitrate (verb) · arbitrary (adjective - different meaning)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse arbitration with arbitrariness or use 'arbitrary' when they mean 'arbitration'—these are unrelated concepts.

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