magistracy

Also mag·is·tra·ture

[maj-uh-struh-see]

noun

plural

magistracies 

1. the office or function of a magistrate.

2. a body of magistrates.

3. the district under a magistrate.

magistracy

/ ˈmædʒɪstrəsɪ, ˈmædʒɪstrəˌtjʊə /

noun

1. the office or function of a magistrate

2. magistrates collectively

3. the district under the jurisdiction of a magistrate

Word History and Origins

Origin of magistracy¹

First recorded in 1570–80; magistr(ate) + -acy

Example Sentences

A spokesperson from the department tells BBC Newsbeat that "the government wants to ensure that the magistracy reflects the diversity of the communities it serves, including age, background and experience".

Read more on BBC

“The prosecuting magistracy has once again acted like a lawyer, when people charged with corruption are involved.”

Read more on Seattle Times

"These new guidelines will further help ensure the consistent effectiveness of the magistracy," he said.

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Hamilton asked: “How could they better gratify this, than by raising a creature of their own to the chief magistracy of the Union?”

Read more on Washington Post

"The Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice concluded that this behaviour amounted to serious misconduct and have removed Mr Atwal from the magistracy."

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• administration 
• arbitration 
• authority 
• command 
• commission 
• control 
• discretion 
• district 
• domination 
• influence 
• power 
• prerogative 
• purview 
• rule 
• scope 
• sovereignty 
• supervision 
• territory 
• zone