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magisterial

American  
[maj-uh-steer-ee-uhl] / ˌmædʒ əˈstɪər i əl /

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or befitting a master; of importance or consequence; authoritative; weighty.

    a magisterial pronouncement by the director of the board.

  2. imperious; domineering.

    a magisterial tone of command.

  3. of or befitting a magistrate or the office of a magistrate.

    The judge spoke with magisterial gravity.

  4. of the rank of a magistrate.

    magisterial standing.


magisterial British  
/ ˌmædʒɪˈstɪərɪəl /

adjective

  1. commanding; authoritative

  2. domineering; dictatorial

  3. of or relating to a teacher or person of similar status

  4. of or relating to a magistrate

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • magisterially adverb
  • magisterialness noun
  • unmagisterial adjective

Etymology

Origin of magisterial

First recorded in 1625–35; from Late Latin magisteriālis “pertaining to a teacher or magistrate” (equivalent to Latin magister “magistrate, teacher, master” + -ālis ); master, -al 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It’s no surprise that Viktor and Rolf collaborated three times with the magisterial Robert Wilson, who specialized in a theater of images.

From The Wall Street Journal

I was hooked by the magisterial piano and sax solos of the epic “Jungleland,” set in a romanticized New York City—instantly my first favorite Bruce song.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Sunday,” the culminating hymn of “Sunday in the Park With George,” closes Act 1 to magisterial effect.

From Los Angeles Times

He wrote in an autobiography that his first "war decoration" was a "magisterial slap" from his mother, when he came home and told her what he had tried to do.

From BBC

Here are five other movies about the magisterial singer-songwriter whose life and lyrics have forever expanded the contours of American music.

From Los Angeles Times