magistrate

American  

[maj-uh-streyt, -strit] / ˈmædʒ əˌstreɪt, -strɪt /

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 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

---

Other Word Forms

• magistrateship noun

Etymology

Origin of magistrate

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

Example Sentences

"The court is facing an unprecedented time with these coercive measures that have been levelled at judges and prosecutors, including one French magistrate," said Darmanin.

From Barron's

“He loved his country, he loved capitalism, and he loved his family,” said David Bristow, his friend and former lawyer, now a U.S. magistrate judge in California.

From The Wall Street Journal

Ms Vilaplana's bank card details reviewed by the magistrate have since shown she drove out of the underground car park at 19:47.

From BBC

Ms Arora says she was deeply disturbed by reports of children disappearing in her area and went to meet senior police officials and the district magistrate.

From BBC

It sets up a special prosecutor's office dedicated to organised crime - similar to the office that tackles terrorism - which will eventually have 30 specialised magistrates.

From BBC