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 magistrate in the case said a stiff sentence was needed as a deterrent given a spate of cases in Kenya of ant-trafficking.
—
Reuters, NBC news, 16 Apr. 2026
The magistrate in the case said a stiff sentence was needed as a deterrent, given a spate of cases in Kenya of ant-trafficking.
—CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2026
Originally, her arraignment was scheduled for the morning session before a judge but the hearing has been shifted to a magistrate session, according to court records.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
Williams, who is specifically charged with violating a provision of the Espionage Act, appeared Wednesday in Raleigh federal court, where a magistrate judge unsealed the case against her, initially filed late last week, according to online court records.
—Allen G. Breed, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for magistrate
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Reuters, NBC news, 16 Apr. 2026
The magistrate in the case said a stiff sentence was needed as a deterrent, given a spate of cases in Kenya of ant-trafficking.
—CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2026
Originally, her arraignment was scheduled for the morning session before a judge but the hearing has been shifted to a magistrate session, according to court records.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
Williams, who is specifically charged with violating a provision of the Espionage Act, appeared Wednesday in Raleigh federal court, where a magistrate judge unsealed the case against her, initially filed late last week, according to online court records.
—Allen G. Breed, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for magistrate
Cite this Entry
“Magistrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/magistrate. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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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