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

Other Word Forms

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

Israel had asked the court in May to dismiss the warrants while it weighed a separate challenge over whether the ICC had jurisdiction in the case.

Read more on Barron's

But they do happen, with jurisdictions in many countries concluding that circumstantial evidence alone can constitute proof.

Read more on BBC

Twelve Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia have sued to block the cuts, arguing that the new formula effectively penalizes jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

Read more on Salon

In his written order, Judge Dana Christensen said that while the youth plaintiffs had presented "overwhelming" evidence showing the administration's executive actions would further destabilize the climate and harm them, he lacked jurisdiction to intervene.

Read more on Barron's

In Shelby, the court struck down the formula for determining which states and local jurisdictions had a history of discrimination and required federal “preclearance” before changing any law related to voting.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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