jurisdiction

[ joor-is-dik-shuhn ]

/ ˌdʒʊər ɪsˈdɪk ʃən /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: jurisdiction / jurisdictional / jurisdictive on Thesaurus.com

noun

the right, power, or authority to administer justice by hearing and determining controversies.

power; authority; control: He has jurisdiction over all American soldiers in the area.

the extent or range of judicial, law enforcement, or other authority: This case comes under the jurisdiction of the local police.

the territory over which authority is exercised: All islands to the northwest are his jurisdiction.

QUIZ

SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!

Question 1 of 6

Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?

shall

should

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of jurisdiction

1250–1300; Middle English <Latin jūris dictiōn- stem of jūris dictiō (see jus, diction); replacing Middle English jurediccioun<Old French juredicion<Latin, as above

OTHER WORDS FROM jurisdiction

ju·ris·dic·tion·al, adjectiveju·ris·dic·tive, adjectiveju·ris·dic·tion·al·ly, adverbpre·ju·ris·dic·tion, noun

su·per·ju·ris·dic·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use jurisdiction in a sentence

It follows several new restrictions added across the region’s jurisdictions this month as coronavirus cases have exploded.
National Harbor curfew issued for minors as D.C. region sets coronavirus record for 17th day|Rachel Chason, Dana Hedgpeth, Fenit Nirappil|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
Maryland and its largest jurisdiction toughened pandemic-related restrictions Tuesday as the Washington region’s coronavirus caseloads set more record highs amid a national spike.
Maryland governor adds coronavirus restrictions as cases surge across the Washington region|Rebecca Tan, Erin Cox, Patricia Sullivan|November 11, 2020|Washington Post
Voters in Maryland’s most populous jurisdiction added two seats to the county council, which will ensure better representation for the growing population in northern Montgomery.
Election 2020: Winners and losers from Virginia, Maryland and D.C.|Robert McCartney|November 6, 2020|Washington Post
Fairfax County joins a growing list of local jurisdictions that are seeking a top leader for their police departments.
Fairfax County police chief to step down in February|Justin Jouvenal|November 5, 2020|Washington Post

She held town halls in every jurisdiction, often fielding complaints about the lack of rural broadband access and the price of prescription drugs – two issues she focused on heavily.
Spanberger declares victory over Freitas in Virginia as more absentee ballots are tallied|Meagan Flynn|November 5, 2020|Washington Post
In the end, in 2008, jurisdictional issues blew the investigation, says Wittman.
The FBI’s Art Heist Flimflam|Christopher Dickey|March 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The party who files first in a case where there may be jurisdictional issues has an advantage, she says.
Why Katie Holmes May Win Custody|Nancy Hass|July 7, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Right now Saif al-Islam is currently in something of a jurisdictional limbo.
In His First Interview, Saif al-Islam Says He Has Not Been Given Access to a Lawyer|Fred Abrahams|December 30, 2011|DAILY BEAST
In some cases, there is a lack of jurisdictional clarity, especially in international cases.
8 Most Frequent Flier Freakouts|The Daily Beast|August 11, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Some contraventions of right have already taken place, both within our jurisdictional limits and on the high seas.
A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents|Edited by James D. Richardson
Ownership is dominium; but governmental power, jurisdictional power, these also are dominium.
Domesday Book and Beyond|Frederic William Maitland
For one moment longer we may dwell on the indisputable fact that he dealt out jurisdictional rights with a lavish hand.
Domesday Book and Beyond|Frederic William Maitland
Apart from jurisdictional profits, rents and agricultural services, dues of all kinds are exacted from the rural population.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 17, Slice 5|Various
It is under this system (which has been called jurisdictional) that religious liberty has been realized in European States.
A History of Freedom of Thought|John Bagnell Bury

British Dictionary definitions for jurisdiction

jurisdiction

/ (ˌdʒʊərɪsˈdɪkʃən) /

noun

the right or power to administer justice and to apply laws

the exercise or extent of such right or power

power or authority in general

Derived forms of jurisdiction

jurisdictional, adjectivejurisdictionally, adverbjurisdictive, adjective

Word Origin for jurisdiction

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

jurisdiction

Origin of jurisdiction

OTHER WORDS FROM jurisdiction

Words related to jurisdiction

How to use jurisdiction in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for jurisdiction

Derived forms of jurisdiction

Word Origin for jurisdiction