magistrate

[ maj-uh-streyt, -strit ]

noun

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.

magistrate

/ ˈmædʒɪˌstreɪt; -strɪt /

noun

1. a public officer concerned with the administration of law magisterial
2. another name for justice of the peace
3. the former name for district court judge

Derived Forms

• ˈmagisˌtrateship, noun

Other Words From

• magis·trateship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of magistrate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of magistrate¹

C17: from Latin magistrātus, from magister master

Example Sentences

The magistrate allowed their detention after police said they were still making inquiries on the matter.

From BBC

“You will come back on the 13 November, when the case will come up for mention. You are remanded at Kigo prison till then,” the magistrate ordered.

From BBC

Magistrate Stella Maris Amabilis remanded 21-year-old David Ssengozi, alias Lucky Choice, and Isaiah Ssekagiri , 28, to Kigo prison until Wednesday when they will make an initial court appearance.

From BBC

Chief Magistrate, district judge Paul Goldspring remanded the defendant in custody on the new charges at the brief hearing, which lasted less than ten minutes.

From BBC

The magistrate eventually ruled that Kaliati could be released on bail as investigations continue.

From BBC