German word

Magistrat

Pronunciation

IPA/magɪsˈtʁaːt/

Meaning

  • masculine nouncity government

Example

Der Magistrat genehmigte das Budget für das nächste Jahr.

The city government approved the budget for next year.

Illustration for Magistrat (city government)

More examples

Die Beschlüsse des Magistrats hatten Auswirkungen auf den öffentlichen Nahverkehr.

The decisions of the city government affected public transport.

Core concept

A formal town-government body that handles the municipality's executive administration.

Common phrases

  • Beschlüsse des Magistrats

    decisions of the city government

  • Aufgaben des Magistrats

    duties of the city government

  • Sitz im Magistrat

    a seat in the city government

Similar words

Stadtverwaltung: The municipal organization handling everyday public services and internal administration.
Stadtrat: An elected assembly of representatives that decides city policies and ordinances.
Bürgermeister: The elected head of a city, responsible for administration and official representation.
Rathaus: The central building housing the city's administrative offices.

Definition in German

Magistrat ist die für die Ausführung der städtischen Verwaltung zuständige Behörde oder das entsprechende Kollegium.

Word origin

Latin magistratus referred to a magistrate's office or authority, and German retained the Latin-based term for a city's governing administrative body.

Usage tips

  • In contemporary German, Magistrat is especially common in official or administrative language, while Stadtverwaltung is often more general.

Other meanings

  • local authoritynoun

Related words

  • Magistratsvorsteherhead of the city governmentnoun
  • Magistratsmitgliedmember of the city governmentnoun

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