noun

magistrate

MAJ-ih-strayt

noun

A judicial officer with limited authority who hears minor civil or criminal cases.

"The case was heard by a local magistrate rather than going to a full trial."

"She volunteers as a magistrate, sitting in court one day a week."

A senior civil official in a state or municipality, historically or in some modern systems.

"In ancient Rome, a consul was the highest elected magistrate."

How to Use Magistrate

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA judge who handles lower-level court cases, or historically, a senior government official.

Easily confused with

magister →

Common pairings

appear before a magistrate magistrates' court

magistrates plural

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The case was heard by a local _____ rather than going to a full trial.

From Latin magistratus, related to magister ("master").

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