arbitration

arbitration — noun

1. a formal way of ending a disagreement in which both sides explain their case to

1.nounC1
Definition

a formal way of ending a disagreement in which both sides explain their case to a neutral outside person or panel, who then makes a decision that the two sides usually agree to follow.

Example

The pilots' union and the airline have agreed to settle the pay dispute through arbitration.

settle X through arbitration

After six months of failed talks, Sanyo Foods and its packaging supplier finally went to arbitration.

go to arbitration

Common collocations
  • binding arbitration
  • international arbitration
  • labor arbitration
  • compulsory arbitration
  • go to arbitration
  • submit to arbitration
Synonyms
  • mediation

    less binding — the third party only proposes a solution; both sides can refuse it

  • adjudication

    broader; covers any formal decision-making, including by judges in court

  • conciliation

    softer process focused on rebuilding the relationship rather than issuing a decision

Antonyms
  • litigation

    settling a dispute by going to court rather than using a private third party

Grammar Patterns

go to arbitration

submit X to arbitration

settle X by arbitration

Usage Note

Almost always uncountable. Frequently appears in fixed patterns: 'go to arbitration', 'submit X to arbitration', 'settle X by/through arbitration'. Distinguish from 'mediation', where the third party only suggests a solution and cannot impose one.

Common Mistakes

They had an arbitration about the rent.
They went to arbitration over the rent.
'arbitration' is uncountable; use it with 'go to / through / by', not 'have an'.
The judge made the arbitration.
The arbitrator made the decision.
the person who decides is an 'arbitrator'; 'arbitration' names the process, not the person.

Word family

  • arbitrate
    verbC1
  • arbitrator
    nounC1
  • arbiter
    nounC2
  • arbitrary
    adjectiveC1
  • arbitrarily
    adverbC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe ways of dealing with a disagreement, but the level of authority and outcome differs. In arbitration, both sides hand the decision to a neutral outsider whose ruling is usually binding — for example, two companies arguing over a contract may agree that an arbitrator's decision will be final. Mediation is gentler: the third party listens, suggests options, and helps the sides talk, but cannot force any outcome; if the parties cannot agree, mediation simply ends. Conciliation is similar to mediation but aims more at repairing the relationship, common in family or workplace disputes. Litigation is the most formal and public route — the dispute goes to court, a judge or jury rules, and the loser may have to pay heavy legal costs. Companies often prefer arbitration because it is private, faster, and cheaper than litigation.

arbitration ↗mediation ↗litigation ↗conciliation

Common collocations

Nouns

  • arbitration clause
  • arbitration agreement
  • arbitration panel
  • arbitration award
  • arbitration hearing
  • labor arbitration
  • international arbitration

Adverbs

Phrases

  • go to arbitration
  • submit to arbitration
  • settle by arbitration
  • binding arbitration
  • compulsory arbitration
  • voluntary arbitration

Prepositions

  • by arbitration
  • through arbitration
  • in arbitration
  • under arbitration

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

Comes from the Latin verb 'arbitrari', meaning to judge or to give an opinion, which itself came from 'arbiter', a witness or onlooker who could fairly decide a matter. The noun form 'arbitratio' passed through Old French as 'arbitration' and entered English in the late 14th century, originally meaning a free choice or judgment. Over time, especially from the 1600s onward, English narrowed the word to its modern legal sense: the formal settlement of a dispute by a chosen outside decider.