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
Judges and magistrates are required to follow the law and constitutional standards in every case and cannot make decisions based on ideology or public pressure.
—
Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
The magistrate and her elderly mother were held for 30 hours in a garage in southern France’s Drôme region before escaping, according to CNN affiliate BFMTV.
—Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
The search warrant was signed by a federal magistrate judge, which is typical in criminal cases.
—Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
In June, a federal magistrate judge recommended Kordia’s release while her case challenging detention proceeds, but a federal district judge ordered additional fact-finding.
—Lilly Kersh, Dallas Morning News, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for magistrate
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Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
The magistrate and her elderly mother were held for 30 hours in a garage in southern France’s Drôme region before escaping, according to CNN affiliate BFMTV.
—Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
The search warrant was signed by a federal magistrate judge, which is typical in criminal cases.
—Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
In June, a federal magistrate judge recommended Kordia’s release while her case challenging detention proceeds, but a federal district judge ordered additional fact-finding.
—Lilly Kersh, Dallas Morning News, 7 Feb. 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 15 Feb. 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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