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

Derived Forms

• ˌjurisˈdictionally, adverb
• ˌjurisˈdictive, adjective
• ˌjurisˈdictional, adjective

Other Words From

• 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

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

ICC member states - which do not include Israel or the US - are obliged to take action in detaining a wanted defendant if they are found to be in their jurisdiction.

From BBC

He and Elon Musk have been charged by Trump with slashing federal spending across all departments, and they might accomplish some of that goal by blocking federal money from being dispersed in particular jurisdictions.

From Salon

But in 2018, judges at the International Criminal Court issued a surprise ruling saying they could exercise jurisdiction because Bangladesh, where many Rohingya have fled, is a member of the court.

From New York Times

“Staff reductions could disrupt this collaboration, as seen during the current H5N1 outbreak where farmers and local officials have expressed reluctance to cooperate with federal health officials due to concerns over jurisdiction and trust.”

From Salon

Removing it from the water supply would also be out of his jurisdiction, because fluoride levels are controlled by states.

From BBC

Related Words

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