To adjudicate means to settle a dispute or make an official decision about who is right in a disagreement. When teachers adjudicate an argument between students, they listen to both sides and decide what's fair. When judges adjudicate cases in court, they examine the evidence and determine the outcome according to the law.

The word comes from legal settings but works anywhere someone needs to make an official judgment. A spelling bee moderator adjudicates whether a student spelled a word correctly. A soccer referee adjudicates whether a goal counts or a foul occurred. Student council members might adjudicate a complaint about unfair treatment in the cafeteria.

Adjudicating requires careful listening and fairness. You can't just pick your favorite person to win. You have to look at the facts, consider the rules, and make the best decision you can. When someone adjudicates well, both sides feel heard even if they don't get the outcome they wanted.

The person doing this work is called an adjudicator. In everyday conversation, people often use simpler words like “judge,” “decide,” or “settle,” but adjudicate emphasizes the formal, fair process of reaching that decision. When something is adjudicated, it means an official judgment has been made, and the matter is resolved.