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
Examples of magistrate in a Sentence
chose to take their case before the local magistrate
Recent Examples on the Web
The situation, the magistrates conceded, was tricky.
—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
Bailiffs and a magistrate on the bench were unaware that a short proceeding for the Austins’ benefit had been added to the schedule.
—Emerson Clarridge
updated November 21, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Nov. 2025
Court records show that Peterson and his attorney were held in contempt of court by a magistrate judge earlier this week for failing to answer questions during a deposition related to Pete's lawsuit against Cooper.
—Deena Zaru, ABC News, 20 Nov. 2025
While Lemons answered most of the judge's questions, Halligan briefly appeared before Nachmanoff to tell him that at the return of the indictment to the magistrate judge, the foreperson and another grand juror were present.
—Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 19 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for magistrate
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Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
Bailiffs and a magistrate on the bench were unaware that a short proceeding for the Austins’ benefit had been added to the schedule.
—Emerson Clarridge
updated November 21, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Nov. 2025
Court records show that Peterson and his attorney were held in contempt of court by a magistrate judge earlier this week for failing to answer questions during a deposition related to Pete's lawsuit against Cooper.
—Deena Zaru, ABC News, 20 Nov. 2025
While Lemons answered most of the judge's questions, Halligan briefly appeared before Nachmanoff to tell him that at the return of the indictment to the magistrate judge, the foreperson and another grand juror were present.
—Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 19 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for magistrate
Cite this Entry
“Magistrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/magistrate. Accessed 28 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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
Arizona Revised StatutesEtymology
Latin magistratus magistracy, magistrate, from magistr-, magister master, political superior
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