arbitrar

Arbitrar is a Spanish verb that means to act as an arbitrator or referee, to settle a dispute through arbitration, or to decide between alternatives by applying judgment. In legal and commercial contexts, it refers to resolving differences by an arbitral process; in sports and other competitions, it denotes officiating a match or event.

Etymology and related forms: Arbitrar derives from the noun árbitro (arbitrator or referee) and from Latin roots such as arbiter and arbitrium, which denote judgment and decision. The verb is regular in its conjugation, forming arbitrar, arbitrando, arbitrado, and the related noun arbritraje (arbitration). Cognates appear in other Romance languages, such as arbitre in French.

Usage and contexts: In law and business, to arbitrar a matter means to submit it to arbitration and have it decided by an arbitrator or panel, with the resulting award often binding in many jurisdictions. In sports, the verb is used to describe the act of officiating a game: El árbitro arbitró el partido. The phrase arbitrar entre opciones means to choose or decide among several proposals or solutions, applying judgment to select the most appropriate course.

See also: Arbitraje, árbitro, laudo arbitral, arbitral award, and related concepts such as mediación and conciliación. Arbitraje is the process of arbitration; un laudo arbitral is the decision issued by an arbitral tribunal.