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

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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

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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

“It’s in such a sensitive area that there are these multiple state agencies that have jurisdiction to protect the public resources through which this rail corridor passes.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026

Instead, its jurisdiction would be limited to crimes committed inside Kosovo in the immediate aftermath of the war.

From Barron's ● Oct. 5, 2026

When Japan has jurisdiction, but the suspect is under US custody, they can retain custody until Japan brings charges.

From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026

Cornell has stated that the Cornell University Police Department, rather than the Ithaca Police Department, had jurisdiction to investigate the case.

From Slate ● Oct. 2, 2026

But the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy held jurisdiction over AEC appointments, and to appease its Democratic majority, Eisenhower named two former Truman aides, John S. Graham and John F. Floberg, to the open seats.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

"We're already one of the most expensive jurisdictions."

From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026

It is one of around 40 similar suits brought by cities, states, tribes and other local jurisdictions, modeled on successful litigation against tobacco and opioid producers.

From Barron's ● Oct. 5, 2026

The program is now live in seven jurisdictions, including the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026

Current regulations are enforced by county agricultural commissioners, who police pesticides in their jurisdictions and also promote California’s $61-billion agricultural industry.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 24, 2026

There were times when I imagined myself, like Prince, tracked through many jurisdictions by a man in a criminal’s costume.

From "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates

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Related Words

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

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