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

On Friday, a magistrate reduced the bond to $100,000, which the defendant has posted, according to court records. —James Hartley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 June 2024

The stakes are high: These magistrates could face future requests to withdraw Mr. Arévalo’s presidential immunity, something that could lead to his dismissal. —Jody García, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 June 2024

Jose Smith, a former municipal attorney for the cities of Miami Beach and North Miami Beach who is currently a special magistrate for North Miami, dismissed the idea that the incidents involving Porras’ and Pineyro’s files constitute a violation of the Sunshine Law. —Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 29 May 2024

Nell just wants to evade capture long enough to find an honest magistrate to clear her name. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 15 Apr. 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