umpire

Everyday

1. An umpire is a person who watches a game to make sure the rules are followed and decides what happens, in sports like cricket, baseball, tennis and Australian rules football. tree →
2. To umpire is to be the umpire in a game. tree →

In the lessons

In PE and sport, the umpire's decision is final: in cricket the umpire raises a finger to give a batter out; in baseball the umpire calls «strike» or «ball»; in tennis the umpire sits on a high chair. Football and rugby use «referee» instead. In lessons on fair play, players respect the umpire even when they disagree. Phrases: «the umpire's decision», «appeal to the umpire».

Examples

• The umpire said the batter was out. tree →
• In tennis the umpire sits on a tall chair. tree →
• Always respect the umpire's decision. tree →
• The baseball umpire called «Strike three!». tree →
• Our PE teacher umpired the netball match. tree →
• The umpire raised one finger. tree →
• Players shook hands with the umpires after the game. tree →
• The bear came forward as umpire. tree →

Note

Plural: umpires. Use «an umpire» (vowel sound). Umpire or referee? Cricket, baseball, tennis, netball, hockey, Aussie rules: umpire; football (soccer), rugby, basketball, boxing: referee.