magistrate

American  

[maj-uh-strayt, -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

A federal magistrate judge subsequently recommended overturning the conviction due to ineffective defense counsel.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 27, 2026

On Friday, a magistrate judge told both sides to identify dates in late October to meet for court-ordered settlement talks.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2026

Fifteen months later, a magistrate judge denied Stilwell’s motion, saying he needed to serve the same notice to other anonymous co-conspirators who may have been part of the scam.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026

The magistrate called the incident "a single act of stupidity or frustration" when sparing him a criminal record.

From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026

"Painter Chen," the magistrate said, "I commend you on your work on my son’s project. The paintings in the Long Walkway are beautiful to behold."

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

Andrew Thomas KC - chairman of the Criminal Bar Association, which represents barristers who work in crown and magistrates courts - said the profession was "delighted".

From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026

A 20-year-old man, Diego Farquharson, of Birchen Grove, Brent, has been charged with assisting an offender and is due to appear before magistrates on Monday.

From BBC ● Aug. 30, 2026

In November 2024, a judge sitting with two magistrates allowed the singer's appeal against a conviction for threatening a member of aircraft crew, but rejected his appeal against the assault conviction.

From BBC ● Jul. 14, 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

Unlike judges and magistrates, who were automatically permitted access to prisons, members of Parliament had to request permission to visit a prison.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela