Word
magistrate
Phoneticsmag·is·trate, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈmædʒəˌstɹeɪt/
UK/mˈædʒɪstɹˌeɪt/
Definitions
01legal official
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Law Formal
n. a judge who deals with smaller crimes or decides if a bigger case should go to a higher court.
n. a judicial officer with limited authority to administer and enforce the law, typically presiding over a court for minor criminal or civil matters.
“The magistrate decided that the driver had to pay a fine for speeding.”
“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.
Teaching tip
In the UK, magistrates are often volunteers from the community, whereas in other systems they may be professional civil servants.
02historical official
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Archaic
n. a high-ranking government official in ancient times, like in Rome or Greece.
n. a high-ranking civil officer of the state or a municipality in ancient Greece or Rome.
“In ancient Rome, a magistrate held great power over the city's laws.”
“The historian examined how the role of the chief magistrate evolved during the transition from the Roman Republic to the Empire.”
Teaching tip
This sense is primarily encountered in historical texts or classical literature.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “magistrate” in context.
Verb
01. appear before a magistrate
“The defendant is scheduled to appear before a magistrate tomorrow morning to face the charges.”
verb + prep + noun
02. remand the magistrate
“The magistrate remanded the suspect in custody for a further seven days.”
verb + noun
Adjective
03. lay magistrate
“A lay magistrate is a volunteer who does not usually have formal legal qualifications.”
adj + noun
04. presiding magistrate
“The presiding magistrate listened intently to the witness's testimony before making a ruling.”
adj + noun
05. stipendiary magistrate
“In some jurisdictions, a stipendiary magistrate is a professional lawyer who receives a salary.”
adj + noun
Noun
06. clerk to the magistrate
“The clerk to the magistrate provides legal advice to the bench during the proceedings.”
noun + prep + noun
07. magistrates' court
“Minor offenses like traffic violations are typically handled in the local magistrates' court.”
noun + noun
Real-World Examples
“Sterling, from Berkshire, is due to appear at Basingstoke magistrates court for a hearing on 15 September.” “But for the seven mothers and two fathers who were summoned at 10am to a stuffy room in the town’s magistrates court, set just behind the beachfront strip of arcades, the subject was unavoidable.” Etymology
From Middle English magistrat, maiestrat (“magistrate; magistracy”), borrowed from Latin magistrātus. See also -ate (forms nouns denoting rank or office).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/magistrate