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
Of the 931 federal judges and magistrates who responded, only 15 had ever fielded a challenge to audiovisual evidence as a deepfake.
—
Lars Daniel, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
The law mandates a mental health evaluation for a suspect who is charged with a violent crime and has been involuntarily committed in the last three years, or if a judge or magistrate is concerned that the suspect might be dangerous.
—Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2026
For a new magistrate judge, they’ll be appointed to the position for an 18-month probationary period before facing an uncontested election, where voters will decide whether the judge should be retained.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 13 May 2026
After an initial appearance on Tuesday, a magistrate judge ordered Lake to remain in federal custody.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for magistrate
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Lars Daniel, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
The law mandates a mental health evaluation for a suspect who is charged with a violent crime and has been involuntarily committed in the last three years, or if a judge or magistrate is concerned that the suspect might be dangerous.
—Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2026
For a new magistrate judge, they’ll be appointed to the position for an 18-month probationary period before facing an uncontested election, where voters will decide whether the judge should be retained.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 13 May 2026
After an initial appearance on Tuesday, a magistrate judge ordered Lake to remain in federal custody.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 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 16 May. 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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