Referee

/ˌrɛfəˈriː/

Definitions

  1. (n.) An impartial person appointed to settle a dispute or decide a matter, often in arbitration or sports contexts.
    The parties agreed to have the contract disputes resolved by a referee.
  2. (n.) A person who oversees a game or match to ensure the rules are followed.
    The referee blew the whistle to stop the match for a foul.

Forms

  • referees
  • refereed
  • refereeing

Commentary

Commonly used in both sports and legal arbitration; clarify context to avoid ambiguity.

This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.

Draft confidently with Amicus

Create, negotiate, and sign agreements in one secure workspace—invite collaborators, track revisions, and keep audit-ready records automatically.

Open the Amicus app