jurisdiction

American  

[joor-is-dik-shuhn] / ˌdʒʊər ɪsˈdɪk ʃən /

noun

jurisdictions plural

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.

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jurisdiction British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• prejurisdiction
  noun
• superjurisdiction
  noun
• jurisdictional
  adjective
• jurisdictive
  adjective
• jurisdictionally
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• jurisdictions
  plural

Etymology

Origin of jurisdiction

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” ( see jus ¹ ( def. )) + dictiō “rhetorical delivery, a saying” ( see diction); replacing Middle English jurediccioun, from Old French juredicion, from Latin, as above

Explanation

Jurisdiction means having a legal right over something. A court can have jurisdiction over a legal question, and a government can have jurisdiction over another country or territory. Even your parents could be said to have jurisdiction over you while you're under 18. This noun jurisdiction descends from Latin jūrisdictiō, formed from jūris (from jūs "law") plus dictio, "the act of saying." Think of it as who has the right to "say" what "the law" is. In the U.S., certain crimes are tried in state courts, but when a crime involves more than one state, jurisdiction moves to the federal court system, just as the local police step down and the investigation is handled by the FBI.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

jurisdiction jurisdictions

The stream has the potential to be particularly productive because its headwaters are already protected under the jurisdiction of Redwood National and State Parks, he said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026

China is the first major jurisdiction to introduce specific rules targeting immersive AI tools that simulate romantic or familial bonds.

From Barron's ● Jul. 15, 2026

The case in Vienna was a relatively rare example of a European country claiming jurisdiction for crimes committed by agents of Assad's government.

From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026

She refuses to treat the citizenship clause as an abstract debate about sovereignty or jurisdiction divorced from the people whose humanity demanded its adoption.

From Slate ● Jul. 2, 2026

She felt somehow humiliated by this public revolt in her area of jurisdiction.

From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy

The company now has gained clearances from more than 60 jurisdictions, including from the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2026

“These five jurisdictions had every chance to follow the law and plan for their fair share of housing. ... Housing law applies statewide, and no city gets a pass.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 18, 2026

It said the claims had been investigated by authorities in several jurisdictions which, according to BGC, had not substantiated the allegations.

From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026

Paramount noted that competition regulators in 24 jurisdictions have already cleared the transaction or allowed their review periods to expire.

From Barron's ● Jul. 13, 2026

It had a little bit to do with jurisdictions, I supposed.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover

Related Words

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