Definition of "arbiter" []

• One chosen or appointed to judge or decide a disputed issue; an arbitrator. (noun)
• One who has the power to judge or ordain at will: an arbiter of fashion. See Synonyms at judge. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "While inviting Iran to the upcoming conference on Afghanistan seems like a prudent move — engaging Iran first on a key area of mutual concern rather than going after the big issues outright — it’s important to remember that Khamenei is the main arbiter of Iran’s foreign policy."
• "The arbiter was a paper pusher's nightmare called Level Two, a sprawling management complex in Reston, Va., that had to be consulted on the slightest matters, yet had no authority to make decisions."
• "It will be McCain if race is the final arbiter, which is also very possible."