What does "magistrate" mean?

1. (legal official) a judge who deals with smaller crimes or decides if a bigger case should go to a higher court. 2. (historical official) a high-ranking government official in ancient times, like in Rome or Greece.

How do you use "magistrate"?

In many legal systems, this is a countable noun and often refers to a layperson rather than a professional lawyer.

magistrate

US //ˈmædʒəˌstɹeɪt// UK //mˈædʒɪstɹˌeɪt// mag·is·trate

1 legal official (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal Law

a judge who deals with smaller crimes or decides if a bigger case should go to a higher court.

a judicial officer with limited authority to administer and enforce the law, typically presiding over a court for minor criminal or civil matters.

Example

The magistrate decided that the driver had to pay a fine for speeding.

Example

The defendant appeared before the magistrate to face charges of petty theft and disturbing the peace.

Usage

In many legal systems, this is a countable noun and often refers to a layperson rather than a professional lawyer.

Teacher's tip

In the UK, magistrates are often volunteers from the community, whereas in other systems they may be professional civil servants.
- judge
- justice
- justice of the peace
2 historical official (n.)
C2 Proficiency Archaic

a high-ranking government official in ancient times, like in Rome or Greece.

a high-ranking civil officer of the state or a municipality in ancient Greece or Rome.

Example

In ancient Rome, a magistrate held great power over the city's laws.

Example

The historian examined how the role of the chief magistrate evolved during the transition from the Roman Republic to the Empire.

Teacher's tip

This sense is primarily encountered in historical texts or classical literature.
- official
- administrator

Origin

From Middle English magistrat, maiestrat (“magistrate; magistracy”), borrowed from Latin magistrātus. See also -ate (forms nouns denoting rank or office).