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
As when a warrant is presented at a private home, at the workplace a valid warrant must be issued by a court, have the correct name and address of the person being seized and be signed by a judge or magistrate judge.
—
Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
That juvenile judge or magistrate would be able to see how many interactions that child has had with the juvenile justice system, balance that with their best interest as well as the best interest of the community and public safety.
—Ivan J. Bates, Baltimore Sun, 2 June 2025
Also last week, former New Mexico magistrate judge Joel Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano, were accused of tampering with evidence linked to the arrest of an undocumented migrant suspected of being a member of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, according to two criminal complaints.
—Karina Tsui and Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 27 Apr. 2025
When Ivery asked, Blackwell said Bishop didn’t touch her, according to a letter Ivery wrote to the chief magistrate.
—Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for magistrate
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Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
That juvenile judge or magistrate would be able to see how many interactions that child has had with the juvenile justice system, balance that with their best interest as well as the best interest of the community and public safety.
—Ivan J. Bates, Baltimore Sun, 2 June 2025
Also last week, former New Mexico magistrate judge Joel Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano, were accused of tampering with evidence linked to the arrest of an undocumented migrant suspected of being a member of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, according to two criminal complaints.
—Karina Tsui and Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 27 Apr. 2025
When Ivery asked, Blackwell said Bishop didn’t touch her, according to a letter Ivery wrote to the chief magistrate.
—Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 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 18 Jun. 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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