arbitration, the: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Legal, Business, Academic
Quick answer
What does “arbitration, the” mean?
The process of resolving a dispute between two or more parties by submitting it to an impartial third person or panel (the arbitrator/s) whose decision is usually binding.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The process of resolving a dispute between two or more parties by submitting it to an impartial third person or panel (the arbitrator/s) whose decision is usually binding.
Formal, legal, or quasi-legal adjudication outside of court; sometimes used metaphorically for any process of settling differences through a third-party decision.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Legal frameworks and governing bodies differ (e.g., ACAS in UK, AAA in US), but the core concept and terminology are identical. 'Arbitrator' is the standard term in both. Some specific phrasing differences exist, e.g., 'award' (final decision) is universal, but procedural rules have local names.
Connotations
In both varieties, strongly associated with commercial, employment, and sports disputes. Carries connotations of efficiency, privacy, and finality compared to public court proceedings.
Frequency
Equally frequent in legal and business contexts in both regions. Slightly more common in American English in sports contexts (e.g., salary arbitration).
Grammar
How to Use “arbitration, the” in a Sentence
[Subject] + go/submit/refer + to + arbitration[Dispute/Claim] + be + settled/resolved + by/through + arbitration[Parties] + enter into + arbitrationArbitration + between + [Parties] + over/on + [Issue]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “arbitration, the” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The parties have agreed to arbitrate.
- The tribunal will arbitrate the dispute.
American English
- They chose to arbitrate the matter.
- An independent judge was hired to arbitrate.
adverb
British English
- The dispute was settled arbitrally.
- (Rare; 'through arbitration' is preferred)
American English
- (Rare; 'by arbitration' or 'through arbitration' are standard phrases)
adjective
British English
- The arbitral tribunal issued its award.
- The arbitration process is confidential.
American English
- The arbitrator's arbitral authority was clear.
- They followed the arbitral guidelines.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
A standard clause in commercial contracts stipulates that any disputes will be settled by binding arbitration to avoid costly court cases.
Academic
The study examines the efficacy of international arbitration in resolving cross-border investment disputes under various treaties.
Everyday
The football club and the player couldn't agree on the new salary, so it went to arbitration.
Technical
The ICC Arbitration Rules provide a comprehensive procedural framework for administering cases from the request for arbitration to the final award.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “arbitration, the”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “arbitration, the”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “arbitration, the”
- Using 'arbitration' interchangeably with 'mediation'.
- Incorrect preposition: 'in arbitration' (being in the process) vs 'by arbitration' (method). 'We settled it by arbitration' is correct.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in most cases, especially when labelled 'binding arbitration'. The parties contractually agree to abide by the arbitrator's decision, which is enforceable in court.
Arbitration is typically private, faster, less formal, and often less expensive than public court litigation. The parties also select the arbitrator(s), whereas a judge is assigned by the state.
Generally, no. Appeals are extremely limited, usually only permitted on grounds like gross procedural unfairness, fraud, or if the arbitrator exceeded their powers. It is designed to be final.
Not exactly. An arbitrator is a private individual (often a lawyer or expert) chosen by the parties to decide their specific dispute. A judge is a public official appointed or elected to preside over court cases. Both make binding decisions, but their authority and the process differ.
The process of resolving a dispute between two or more parties by submitting it to an impartial third person or panel (the arbitrator/s) whose decision is usually binding.
Arbitration, the is usually formal, legal, business, academic in register.
Arbitration, the: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɑː.bɪˈtreɪ.ʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɑːr.bəˈtreɪ.ʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(settle something) by arbitration”
- “take something to arbitration”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a referee (ARBiTrator) in a sports game making a final, binding decision to settle an argument between players. ARBiTrator -> ARBiTraTION.
Conceptual Metaphor
ARBITRATION IS A PRIVATE COURT / ARBITRATION IS A THIRD-PARTY DECISION MAKER.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST accurate synonym for 'arbitration' in a legal context?