referee

Universal Words noun, verb noun 1 (also informal ref) the official who controls the game in some sports, such as football, basketball and boxing: He was sent off for arguing with the referee. compareUMPIRE 2 (BrE) a person who gives information about your character and ability, usually in a letter, for example when you are applying for a job: The principal often acts as a referee for his students. 3 a person who is asked to settle a disagreement: to act as a referee between the parties involved 4 a person who reads and checks the quality of a technical article before it is published verb 1 to act as the referee in a game: [V] He began refereeing in 1980. * a refereeing decision * [VN] Who refereed the final? 2 [VN] to read and check the quality of a technical article before it is published