an attorney appointed by a court to investigate and report on a case
"The judge assigned a referee to review the complex financial records before making a final ruling."
An umpire or judge; an official who makes sure the rules are followed during a game.
"The referee blew his whistle to stop play after the player committed a foul."
In plain English: A referee is an official who watches sports games to make sure everyone follows the rules and decides what happens when someone breaks them.
"The referee blew the whistle to end the match after twenty minutes of play."
Usage: A referee is specifically used in sports like soccer and basketball to enforce rules, whereas an umpire typically officiates baseball, cricket, or tennis. Use this term for any neutral third party ensuring fair play rather than general judges or arbitrators who resolve disputes outside of athletic contests.
evaluate professionally a colleague's work
"The senior editor will referee the draft before it goes to print."
To act as a referee.
"The experienced sports fan volunteered to referee the friendly match between his two neighbors."
The word referee comes from Middle English and Old French roots meaning "to carry back" or "report." It entered modern usage to describe a specific official who someone refers matters to for judgment.