Meaning & use
magistrates
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“magistrates” is a form of “magistrate”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounplurallaw
Judges who deal with less serious crimes and some legal decisions in a local court.
Grammar: This is the plural form; use it with a plural verb, e.g. 'The magistrates have decided.' For one, say 'a magistrate'.
Patterns
- magistrates decide something
- appear before magistrates
- magistrates' court
The magistrates listened to both sides before making their decision.
He was fined by the magistrates for driving without insurance.
She will appear before the magistrates next week.
nounplurallawAmerican
Local officials with limited legal powers, especially in the US.
Grammar: Plural form; in American English, these officials may also perform marriages and handle small claims.
Patterns
- federal magistrates
- a magistrate judge
Federal magistrates handle preliminary hearings in many cases.
The magistrates in this county also perform marriage ceremonies.
Word forms
| singular | magistrate |
|---|
Common combinations
- appear before magistrates
- The suspect will appear before magistrates tomorrow morning.
- magistrates' court
- The case was heard at the local magistrates' court.
- a panel of magistrates
- A panel of magistrates reviewed the evidence.
- magistrates decide
- In minor cases, magistrates decide the verdict and sentence.
Synonyms and how they differ
- judges
- Judges usually handle more serious cases and have broader powers; magistrates deal with less serious matters.
- justices of the peace
- A more formal British term for lay magistrates who are not professional judges.
Word family
- magistrate noun
- Singular form: one such official.
- magisterial adjective
- Relating to a magistrate or showing authority.
- magistracy noun
- The office or position of a magistrate.
Commonly confused: magistrates or magistrate? magistrates or magisterial?
magistrates vs magistrate
This is the singular form; 'magistrates' is plural. Use 'a magistrate' for one, 'magistrates' for more than one.
magistrates vs magisterial
This is an adjective meaning 'relating to a magistrate' or 'authoritative'; do not use it as a noun.
Practice
In Britain, less serious criminal cases are usually heard by ______ in a local court.
Choose one answer.
The plural 'magistrates' is needed because the subject is plural (cases are heard by more than one official). 'Magistrate' is singular and would need 'a' or 'the'; 'magistracy' is the office, not the people; 'magisterial' is an adjective.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “magistrates”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.