ref·er·ee
ˌre-fə-ˈrē 
1
: one to whom a thing is referred: such as
a
: a person to whom a legal matter is referred for investigation and report or for settlement
b
: a person who reviews a paper and especially a technical paper and recommends that it should or should not be published
c
chiefly British
: reference sense 4a
2
: a sports official usually having final authority in administering a game
refereed; refereeing
1
: to conduct (a match or game) as referee
2
a
: to arbitrate (something, such as a legal matter) as a judge or third party
b
: to review (something, such as a technical paper) before publication
: to act as a referee
Examples of referee in a Sentence
Noun
served as the unofficial referee in disputes over the family business
Verb
She refereed the basketball game.
He has refereed for several years now.
Recent Examples on the Web
Zach McMahon, Boston Herald, 15 Jan. 2026
In both cities, the Magic and the Grizzlies, alongside the NBA, are hosting a series of youth basketball development programming that will reach more than 2,500 youth, coaches and referees from across Germany and more than 5,000 youth, coaches and referees from across the UK.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Jan. 2026
Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 12 Dec. 2025
In Hollywood Game Night, viewers are invited to an exclusive showbiz themed party where the host referees a lively celebrity game night, complete with two non-celebrity contestants.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 2 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for referee
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Noun
The Sailors went on another power play with just under two minutes left in overtime, and Pembroke was able to get a shot on and scored, but the referees called a no-goal against with just under a minute left.
—Verb
Having won the competition 11 years prior as a player, Bonds was determined to secure silverware as a manager, but a controversial refereeing decision prevented them from doing so.
—Cite this Entry
“Referee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/referee. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
Kids Definition
referee
1 of 2 noun
ref·er·ee
ˌref-ə-ˈrē
1
: a person to whom something that is to be investigated or decided is referred
2
: a sports official usually having final authority in conducting a game
referee
2 of 2 verb
refereed; refereeing
: to conduct as a referee
Legal Definition
referee
noun
ref·er·ee
ˌre-fə-ˈrē
: an officer appointed by a court or quasi-judicial body (as a workers' compensation board) to investigate a case, report findings, and often to make orders subject to review
the board may affirm, reverse, modify or supplement the order of the referee—Oregon Revised Statutes
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