arbitration Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (law) the hearing and determination of a dispute by an impartial referee agreed to by both parties (often used to settle disputes between labor and management)
  2. noun the act of deciding as an arbiter; giving authoritative judgment
    arbitrament; arbitrement.
    • they submitted their disagreement to arbitration

WordNet

Ar`bi*tra"tion noun
Etymology
F. arbitration, L. arbitratio, fr. arbitrari.
Definitions
  1. The hearing and determination of a cause between parties in controversy, by a person or persons chosen by the parties. ✍ This may be done by one person; but it is usual to choose two or three called arbitrators; or for each party to choose one, and these to name a third, who is called the umpire. Their determination is called the award. Bouvier

Webster 1913