magisterial

[ maj-uh-steer-ee-uhl ]

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

/ 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

Derived Forms

• ˌmagisˈterially, adverb
• ˌmagisˈterialness, noun

Other Words From

• magis·teri·al·ly adverb
• magis·teri·al·ness noun
• unmag·is·teri·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of magisterial¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of magisterial¹

C17: from Late Latin magisteriālis, from magister master

Example Sentences

I give her a magisterial stare over the top of my reading glasses.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s a magisterial work that taught me more about myself than any other book I’ve ever read.

From Salon

The Delhi government has ordered a magisterial inquiry.

From BBC

There was plenty of bubble-gum pink to go around, but the 96th Academy Awards effectively belonged to Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” his magisterial biographical portrait of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the so-called father of the atomic bomb.

From New York Times

Democrats controlled the House by one vote until Rep. John Galloway resigned in December to become a magisterial district judge.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• authoritative