jurisdiction

ju·ris·dic·tion

noun \ˌju̇r-əs-ˈdik-shən\

Definition of JURISDICTION

1

: the power, right, or authority to interpret and apply the law

2

a : the authority of a sovereign power to govern or legislate

b : the power or right to exercise authority : control

3

: the limits or territory within which authority may be exercised

— ju·ris·dic·tion·al \-shnəl, -shə-n^əl\ adjective

— ju·ris·dic·tion·al·ly adverb

Examples of JURISDICTION

1. The court has jurisdiction over most criminal offenses.
2. His attorney claimed the court lacked jurisdiction in this matter.
3. The matter falls outside the jurisdiction of this court.
4. territory under the jurisdiction of the federal government
5. He was arrested in another jurisdiction.

Origin of JURISDICTION

Middle English jurisdiccioun, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French jurisdiction, from Latin jurisdiction-, jurisdictio, from juris + diction-, dictio act of saying — more at diction

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to JURISDICTION

Synonyms

administration, authority, governance, government, rule, regime (also régime), regimen

Related Words

reign; dominion, power, sovereignty (also sovranty), supremacy, sway; command, leadership; direction, management, regulation, superintendence, supervision; autocracy, dictatorship, domination, hegemony, mastery, oppression, subjugation, tyranny

See Synonym Discussion at power

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

Rhymes with JURISDICTION

benediction, contradiction, crucifixion, dereliction, interdiction, malediction, metafiction, science fiction, valediction

jurisdiction

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Authority of a court to hear and determine cases. This authority is constitutionally based. Examples of judicial jurisdiction are: appellate jurisdiction, in which a superior court has power to correct legal errors made in a lower court; concurrent jurisdiction, in which a suit might be brought to any of two or more courts; and federal jurisdiction. A court may also have authority to operate within a certain territory. Summary jurisdiction, in which a magistrate or judge has power to conduct proceedings resulting in a conviction without jury trial, is limited in the U.S. to petty offenses.