magistrate

American  

[maj-uh-streyt, -strit] / ˈmædʒ əˌstreɪt, -strɪt /

noun

magistrates plural

1. a civil officer charged with the administration of the law.

2. a minor judicial officer, as a justice of the peace or the judge of a police court, having jurisdiction to try minor criminal cases and to conduct preliminary examinations of persons charged with serious crimes.

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magistrate British  

/ ˈmædʒɪˌstreɪt, -strɪt /

noun

1. a public officer concerned with the administration of law

2. another name for justice of the peace

3. the former name for district court judge

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• magistrateship
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• magistrates
  plural

Etymology

Origin of magistrate

1350–1400; Middle English magistrat < Latin magistrātus magistracy, magistrate, equivalent to magist ( e ) r master + -ātus -ate ³

Explanation

A magistrate is a person who lays down the law — a judge or other civil authority who conducts a court. Minor offenses are often brought before a magistrate. Magistrate goes back to the Latin magistratus, meaning "administrator." Lawmakers and judges might have a role in making and changing laws; magistrates focus on carrying out the laws on a case-by-case basis. A magistrate doesn't usually make final rulings on murders or high-level cases. He or she might hear cases about things like property damage or traffic violations.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

magistrate magistrates

The brothers, who are being held in federal detention, appeared before a magistrate in Miami on Monday, where a lawyer representing them said they would fight their extradition to the U.K.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation sought the public’s help in locating an escaped prisoner who was captured in Mexico last week but was released by a Mexican magistrate.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2026

Mackay, who the court heard had served for 20 years as a magistrate in the family courts, stood trial in April and was convicted of dangerous driving.

From BBC ● May 18, 2026

He was arrested in Turkey and sent to the U.S., where he appeared before a federal magistrate and will stand trial.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 17, 2026

"Forgiveness, Your Exalted Majesty," the magistrate said, prostrating himself.

From "When the Sea Turned to Silver" by Grace Lin

He has appeared before magistrates in Johannesburg where he confirmed his name and was told a further court hearing would take place on 22 July.

From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026

Freymond, who had been accused by a number of former clients of siphoning away their assets, was questioned by French investigating magistrates in July 2025.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 2026

All seven men spoke only to confirm their names when they appeared before magistrates in Norwich earlier.

From BBC ● May 22, 2026

Foley, 52, was due before Highbury Corner magistrates on Monday accused of breaching the order, but failed to turn up.

From BBC ● May 18, 2026

For these princes rule either by themselves or by means of public magistrates.

From "The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli