referee — English Dictionary

Noun

1. An umpire or judge; an official who makes sure the rules are followed during a game.

   Examples

   The referee kicked Jim out of the game for fighting.

2. A person who settles a dispute.

3. A person who writes a letter of reference or provides a reference by phone call for someone. (In the UK such a person is sometimes, and in the US the person is typically, referred to as a reference.)

   Usage

   • UK usage

   Examples

   Your application, along with letters from three referees, should be received by January 31.

4. An expert who judges the manuscript of an article or book to decide if it should be published.

Verb

1. To act as a referee.

   Examples

   He has to referee three hockey games this weekend.

   She has to finish refereeing an article for Nature.

Noun

1. (sports) the chief official (as in boxing or American football) who is expected to ensure fair play

   Synonyms

   ref

   Broader terms

   official

2. someone who reads manuscripts and judges their suitability for publication

   Synonyms

   reviewerreader

   Broader terms

   critic

3. an attorney appointed by a court to investigate and report on a case

   Broader terms

   lawyerattorney

Verb

1. be a referee or umpire in a sports competition

   Synonyms

   umpire

   Broader terms

   judge

2. evaluate professionally a colleague's work

   Synonyms

   peer review

   Broader terms

   reviewcritique