To arbitrate means to settle a disagreement by having a neutral person make a fair decision that both sides agree to accept. When two friends argue about whether a ball was in or out during kickball, they might ask another classmate to arbitrate: to look at the situation fairly and make the final call.

An arbitrator is the person who does this work. Unlike a judge in court, an arbitrator is someone both sides choose and trust to be fair. Professional sports leagues use arbitrators to resolve contract disputes between teams and players. Labor unions and companies use arbitration when they can't agree on wages or working conditions. The arbitrator listens to both sides, examines the evidence, and makes a decision that both sides accept as final.

The key to arbitration is that both parties agree beforehand to accept whatever the arbitrator decides, even if they don't get everything they wanted. This makes arbitration different from mediation, where someone helps people find their own solution. An arbitrator actually makes the decision for them. When you arbitrate, you step in with authority to end the dispute fairly and finally.