jurisdiction

[ joor-is-dik-shuhn ]
See synonyms for: jurisdictionjurisdictionaljurisdictive on Thesaurus.com

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.

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

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

Origin of jurisdiction

1
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, 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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use jurisdiction in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for 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

  1. power or authority in general

Origin of jurisdiction

1
C13: from Latin jūrisdictiō administration of justice; see jus, diction

Derived forms of jurisdiction

  • jurisdictional, adjective
  • jurisdictionally, adverb
  • jurisdictive, adjective

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