justice of the peace

noun phrase

Synonyms of justice of the peacenext
: a local magistrate empowered chiefly to administer summary justice in minor cases, to commit for trial, and to administer oaths and perform marriages

Examples of justice of the peace in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The new positions include four death investigators to help the justices of the peace. —Claire Osborn, Austin American-Statesman, 28 Aug. 2024 Each court has one justice of the peace and one constable. —Jimmy Jenkins, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024 Arroyo went through the eviction process herself during the pandemic and said that experience motivated her to run for justice of the peace. —Elena Santa Cruz, The Arizona Republic, 11 Oct. 2024 Arizona's voters will help elect a president and elect a new U.S. senator, members of Congress, a new state Legislature, state utility and water regulators, county executives and supervisors, mayors, council members, school board members and justices of the peace. —Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 6 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for justice of the peace 

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of justice of the peace was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near justice of the peace

justice is served/done

justice of the peace

justicer

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Justice of the peace.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/justice%20of%20the%20peace. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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Kids Definition

justice of the peace

: a local official having the authority to try minor cases, to administer oaths, and to perform marriages

Legal Definition

justice of the peace

: a local judicial official who is empowered chiefly to administer oaths, perform marriage ceremonies, certify documents, and in some states may have additional judicial powers (as to issue summonses)

More from Merriam-Webster on justice of the peace

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for justice of the peace

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about justice of the peace

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