justice of the peace

noun phrase

: a local magistrate empowered chiefly to administer summary justice in minor cases, to commit for trial, and to administer oaths and perform marriages

Examples of justice of the peace in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Three dogs seized from a Tarrant County property near Eagle Mountain Lake on suspicion of killing an 82-year-old man working in his yard have been returned to their owner following a hearing before a justice of the peace Friday. —Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Aug. 2025

Marbury was appointed by outgoing President Adams as a justice of the peace. —Steve Woolpert, Mercury News, 4 July 2025

Republican Michele Reagan, who is now a justice of the peace in Scottsdale's McDowell Mountain precinct, was then serving as secretary of state. —Sasha Hupka, AZCentral.com, 3 July 2025

Bellier-Beaumont himself wrote of his affection for Edmond in an 1861 letter to the Sainte-Suzanne justice of the peace. —Jay Cheshes, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for justice of the peace

• altarpiece
• centerpiece
• frontispiece
• mantelpiece
• masterpiece
• pilates
• summarise
• syntheses
• apiece
• aris
• assise
• caprice

Kids Definition

justice of the peace

: a local official having the authority to try minor cases, to administer oaths, and to perform marriages

Legal Definition

justice of the peace

: a local judicial official who is empowered chiefly to administer oaths, perform marriage ceremonies, certify documents, and in some states may have additional judicial powers (as to issue summonses)