a person selected to rule on the plays in a game.

one selected to settle disputes about the application of settled rules or usages; a person agreed on by disputing parties to arbitrate their differences.

to act as umpire in (a game).

to decide or settle (a controversy, dispute, or the like) as umpire; arbitrate.

to act as umpire.

noun

adjudicator , arbiter , arbitrator , assessor , compromiser , inspector , judge , justice , mediator , moderator , negotiator , peacemaker , proprietor , ref , referee , settler , [[umpnotes:referee originally referred to a person appointed by the british parliament to examine patent applications (1621) and was formed from english refer and -ee. the sense of \'an arbitrator or person to whom a dispute is referred\' was first recorded in 1690; by 1840 the word acquired the further sense of \'the judge of play in games and sports.\' baseball]] , boxing , and cricket have umpires ; basketball , hockey , rugby , and football have referees - and american football has both. , decide , rule

verb

adjudge , adjudicate , arbitrate , decide , decree , determine , referee , rule