jurisdiction

[ joor-is-dik-shuhn ]

noun

1. the right, power, or authority to administer justice by hearing and determining controversies.
2. power; authority; control:

   He has jurisdiction over all American soldiers in the area.

3. the extent or range of judicial, law enforcement, or other authority:

   This case comes under the jurisdiction of the local police.

4. the territory over which authority is exercised:

   All islands to the northwest are his jurisdiction.

jurisdiction

/ ˌdʒʊərɪsˈdɪkʃən /

noun

1. the right or power to administer justice and to apply laws
2. the exercise or extent of such right or power
3. power or authority in general

Derived Forms

• ˌjurisˈdictional, adjective
• ˌjurisˈdictive, adjective
• ˌjurisˈdictionally, adverb

Other Words From

• juris·diction·al adjective
• juris·dictive adjective
• juris·diction·al·ly adverb
• preju·ris·diction noun
• super·juris·diction noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of jurisdiction¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Latin jūris dictiōn-, stem of jūris dictiō, literally, “a saying of law,” from jūris, genitive of jūs “law, right” ( jus ¹( def ) ) + dictiō “rhetorical delivery, a saying” ( diction ); replacing Middle English jurediccioun, from Old French juredicion, from Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of jurisdiction¹

C13: from Latin jūrisdictiō administration of justice; see jus, diction

Example Sentences

In July, the Texas Supreme Court rejected a case calling the state’s shutdown unconstitutional, saying it lacked jurisdiction.

From Washington Post

Many, but not all, election jurisdictions use these barcodes on ballot envelopes, allowing both USPS and voters to look up the status of their ballot.

From Fortune

Poll workers are ultimately selected by the election commissioner of each county, depending on the needs of the jurisdiction.

From Fortune

Those decisions are made by local jurisdictions following internal investigations.

From Voice of San Diego

Concerns about teaching students in China online—or anywhere, when the course material involves China—amplified after Beijing imposed a new vaguely worded national security law on Hong Kong in June that claims sweeping extraterritorial jurisdiction.

From Quartz

The Charlottesville Police did indeed have jurisdiction over the Phi Kappa Psi house.

From The Daily Beast

APPLICABLE LAWS AND JURISDICTION: This Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

From The Daily Beast

He said something that applies to cops of whatever race in whatever jurisdiction.

From The Daily Beast

You are in the jurisdiction of the starostie, and I am grand officer of the crown, and grand cordon of the White Eagle.

From The Daily Beast

The department has no jurisdiction over atomic energy secrets.

From The Daily Beast

It's a certainty that they will be captured if they spend that money at any trading-post within our jurisdiction.

From Project Gutenberg

Thirdly, that great damages result because of the division of jurisdiction between the Audiencia and captain-general.

From Project Gutenberg

Was it to be still part of the Portuguese monarchy, with a separate supreme jurisdiction civil and criminal under the Prince?

From Project Gutenberg

Therefore, Bland concluded that Parliament technically had no jurisdiction over the American colonies.

From Project Gutenberg

The unusual political status of a city, completely independent of county jurisdiction, was originated at this time also.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• administration
• arbitration
• authority
• command
• commission
• control
• discretion
• district
• domination
• influence
• power
• prerogative
• purview
• rule
• scope
• sovereignty
• supervision
• territory
• zone