arbitre

referee

noun ar-bee-TR Rare

Also means

arbitrator

Usage Note

Arbitre covers both a sports referee and a legal or commercial arbitrator. In sports, the term competes with juge for some disciplines; in football (soccer) the arbitre is the main official, while juge de ligne is the linesman. The verb form is arbitrer.

Examples

"L'arbitre a sifflé une faute."

Natural Translation

The referee blew the whistle for a foul.

Literal Translation

The referee whistled a foul.

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