magistrate

noun mag·is·trate \ ˈma-jə-ˌstrāt , -strət \

|Updated on: 6 Jul 2018

Examples: magistrate in a Sentence

Definition of magistrate

: 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 1) especially in criminal cases

—

magistratical

play \ˌma-jə-ˈstra-ti-kəl\ adjective

See magistrate defined for English-language learners

See magistrate defined for kids

Examples of magistrate in a Sentence

chose to take their case before the local magistrate

Recent Examples of magistrate from the Web

Prosecutors argued for detention without bail after he was arrested in June 2017, but the magistrate judge granted release on $100,000 bond.

— kristina davis, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Man at center of $1.5 million immigration fraud prosecution flees to Mexico, possibly with Nigerian passport," 28 June 2018
A day later, a Florida magistrate judge ordered Williams to be held without bond on charges of first-degree murder without premeditation, a probation violation and for not having a valid driver's license.

— maria puente, USA TODAY, "Slain rapper XXXTentacion gets sendoff at memorial in Florida hockey arena," 27 June 2018
While Wisconsin courts ruled Dassey's confession was voluntary, a federal magistrate judge and a three-judge appeals court panel disagreed, saying he should be retried or released from prison.

— crimesider staff, CBS News, "Supreme Court declines to hear case of "Making a Murderer" subject Brendan Dassey," 25 June 2018
While Wisconsin courts ruled Dassey's confession was voluntary, a federal magistrate judge and a three-judge appeals court panel disagreed, saying he should be retried or released from prison.

— jessica gresko, Cincinnati.com, "Supreme Court declines to hear 'Making a Murderer' case," 25 June 2018
While Wisconsin courts ruled Dassey's confession was voluntary, a federal magistrate judge and a three-judge appeals court panel disagreed, saying he should be retried or released from prison.

— jessica gresko, chicagotribune.com, "Supreme Court declines to hear 'Making a Murderer' case," 25 June 2018
Wolfe, who was indicted this month on three counts of lying to FBI agents and accused of leaking information to the media, pleaded not guilty in front of a federal magistrate judge in Washington, D.C., earlier this month.

— brian flood, Fox News, "New York Times bombshell on own reporter reveals Ali Watkins dated second potential source," 25 June 2018
While Wisconsin courts ruled Dassey’s confession was voluntary, a federal magistrate judge and a three-judge appeals court panel disagreed, saying he should be retried or released from prison.

— jessica gresko, The Seattle Times, "Supreme Court declines to hear ‘Making a Murderer’ case," 25 June 2018
Kenia Seoane Lopez, a magistrate judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, is to officiate.

— New York Times, "Lissette Flores, Amilcar Guzman," 24 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'magistrate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of magistrate

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

magistrate Synonyms

Synonyms

adjudicator, bench, court, judge, jurist, justice;

auditor, master;

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

MAGISTRATE Defined for English Language Learners

magistrate

noun

Definition of magistrate for English Language Learners

: a local official who has some of the powers of a judge

MAGISTRATE Defined for Kids

magistrate

noun mag·is·trate \ ˈma-jə-ˌstrāt \

Definition of magistrate for Students

1 : a chief officer of government

2 : a local official with some judicial power

Law Dictionary

magistrate

noun mag·is·trate \ ˈma-jə-ˌstrāt, -strət \

legal Definition of magistrate

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