magistrate

noun

mag·​is·​trate ˈma-jə-ˌstrāt 

-strət

: an official entrusted with administration of the laws: such as

a

: a principal official exercising governmental powers over a major political unit (such as a nation)

b

: a local official exercising administrative and often judicial functions

c

: a local judiciary official having limited original jurisdiction (see jurisdiction sense 1) especially in criminal cases

magistratical

ˌma-jə-ˈstra-ti-kəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• adjudicator
• beak [chiefly British]
• bench
• court
• judge
• jurist
• justice

Examples of magistrate in a Sentence

chose to take their case before the local magistrate

Recent Examples on the Web

It will be held before a court of appeal and composed of a popular jury, unlike a criminal court where only professional magistrates sit. —La Rédaction De Vanity Fair, Glamour, 19 Dec. 2024

Jin was a doctoral student at Southern Methodist University when he was arrested in 2021 and later sentenced to 97 months (or just over eight years) in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography before a U.S. magistrate judge in July 2022, according to court documents. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024

In April 1825, local magistrates declined to indict the planter Langlois, who stood accused of mutilating the slaves Gabriel (age 9 or 10) and Melchior (age 19). —Rob Crossan, JSTOR Daily, 13 Dec. 2024

Original story: Hamilton County bailiffs are slated to shutter six Frisch's Big Boys restaurants on Tuesday nearly two weeks after a magistrate issued an eviction order, court officials told The Enquirer. —Alexander Coolidge, The Enquirer, 12 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English magestrat, from Latin magistratus magistracy, magistrate, from magistr-, magister master, political superior — more at master

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing magistrate

• magistrate's court

Kids Definition

magistrate

noun

mag·​is·​trate ˈmaj-ə-ˌstrāt 

-strət

1

: a chief officer of government (as over a nation)

the president is the chief magistrate

2

: a local official with some judicial power

Etymology

Middle English magestrat "magistrate," from Latin magistratus (same meaning), from magister "master, one who holds a higher political office" — related to maestro, master

Legal Definition

magistrate

noun

mag·​is·​trate ˈma-jə-ˌstrāt, -strət 

1

: a civil or judicial official vested with limited judicial powers

a traffic magistrate

2

a

: a municipal, state, or federal judicial officer commonly authorized to issue warrants, hear minor cases, and conduct preliminary or pretrial hearings

called also magistrate judge

b

: an official (as a judge) authorized to perform the role or function of a magistrate

magistrate means an officer having power to issue a warrant for the arrest of a person charged with a public offense

—Arizona Revised Statutes

Etymology

Latin magistratus magistracy, magistrate, from magistr-, magister master, political superior