English · Word Candidate

magistrate

/ˈmæd͡ʒ.ɪˌstɹeɪt/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: magistrates

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A judicial officer with limited authority to administer and enforce the law. A magistrate's court may have jurisdiction in civil or criminal cases, or both.

Noun

Examples

In any case, however, I saw that part of her injuries might easily have been redressed, and I urged her often and earnestly to lay her complaint before a magistrate.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A high official of the state or a municipality in ancient Greece or Rome.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “magistrate” mean?

A judicial officer with limited authority to administer and enforce the law. A magistrate's court may have jurisdiction in civil or criminal cases, or both.

Is “magistrate” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.