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jurisdiction

noun
ju·​ris·​dic·​tion | \ ËŒju̇r-É™s-ˈdik-shÉ™n How to pronounce jurisdiction (audio) \

Definition of jurisdiction

1 : the power, right, or authority to interpret and apply the law a matter that falls within the court's jurisdiction
2a : 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
Other Words from jurisdiction Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about jurisdiction

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Other Words from jurisdiction

jurisdictional \ ËŒju̇r-​É™s-​ˈdik-​shnÉ™l How to pronounce jurisdictional (audio) , -​shÉ™-​nᵊl \ adjective
jurisdictionally adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for jurisdiction

power, authority, jurisdiction, control, command, sway, dominion mean the right to govern or rule or determine. power implies possession of ability to wield force, authority, or influence. the power to mold public opinion authority implies power for a specific purpose within specified limits. granted the authority to manage her estate jurisdiction applies to official power exercised within prescribed limits. the bureau having jurisdiction over parks control stresses the power to direct and restrain. you are responsible for the students under your control command implies the power to make arbitrary decisions and compel obedience. the army officer in command sway suggests the extent of exercised power or influence. the empire extended its sway over the region dominion stresses sovereign power or supreme authority. given dominion over all the animals

Did You Know?

Questions of jurisdiction are generally technical legal matters. The most important ones include which court will hear a given case and which law-enforcement agency can get involved. But although they may seem like mere technicalities, jurisdictional matters sometimes turn out to be all-important in the final outcome. Jurisdiction may depend on where you are (for example, in which state), on who you are (if you're a juvenile, for example, you may only be tried in juvenile court), and on what the subject is (for example, cases involving the estate left by someone who has died are dealt with in probate court).

Examples of jurisdiction in a Sentence

The court has jurisdiction over most criminal offenses. His attorney claimed the court lacked jurisdiction in this matter. The matter falls outside the jurisdiction of this court. territory under the jurisdiction of the federal government He was arrested in another jurisdiction.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Of course, that report could only have reviewed the failures of the attorney general and his deputies in the Russia investigation, when in fact the violations were caused by the president—someone the inspector general has no jurisdiction over. — Marcy Wheeler, The New Republic, "How Trump’s Justice Department Screwed James Comey," 30 Aug. 2019 Staffers from the House Committee on Natural Resources, which has jurisdiction over issues related to the use of federal land, visited the site on Tuesday and provided footage of the construction to CBS News. — Stefan Becket, CBS News, "Construction begins on 30-foot border wall in fragile Arizona desert," 29 Aug. 2019 Neither the Internal Revenue Service nor the ethics office has any jurisdiction over a presidential candidate’s voluntary release of personal tax returns. — Los Angeles Times, "Billionaire presidential candidate Tom Steyer releases tax returns with key omissions," 29 Aug. 2019 The United States only has jurisdiction over crimes that have a clear nexus to the United States. — Fox News, "Mysterious French modeling agent, accused Epstein 'procurer' whereabouts unknown as probe continues," 21 Aug. 2019 All nations have jurisdiction over natural resources on the seafloor of their exclusive economic zones (EEZs) no more than 200 nautical miles from their coasts. — National Geographic, "Arctic Assets," 21 Aug. 2019 The jail is run by the federal Bureau of Prisons, so Mr. de Blasio does not have jurisdiction over it. — Michael Gold, New York Times, "Epstein Conspiracy Theories: De Blasio, and Others Join Speculation," 12 Aug. 2019 In carving up the primary duties, UCF will have jurisdiction at 11 places including academic buildings, garages and other spaces mainly south of Livingston Street, while OPD will cover streets and the remainder of the village. — Ryan Gillespie, orlandosentinel.com, "Creative Village: UCF-Valencia campus expected to be hottest area for downtown Orlando growth," 7 Aug. 2019 Police Chief Michael Brown in Sugarcreek Township, which has jurisdiction over the Bellbrook school, wouldn’t answer any questions about Betts from an AP reporter Monday. — Michael Biesecker And Julie Carr Smyth, chicagotribune.com, "The Ohio gunman was a known danger, his classmates say. Nothing stopped him from getting extremely deadly weapons.," 6 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'jurisdiction.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of jurisdiction

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for 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

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More Definitions for jurisdiction

jurisdiction

noun
How to pronounce jurisdiction (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of jurisdiction

: the power or right to make judgments about the law, to arrest and punish criminals, etc.
: the power or right to govern an area
: an area within which a particular system of laws is used

See the full definition for jurisdiction in the English Language Learners Dictionary

jurisdiction

noun
ju·​ris·​dic·​tion | \ ËŒju̇r-É™s-ˈdik-shÉ™n How to pronounce jurisdiction (audio) \

Legal Definition of jurisdiction

1 : the power, right, or authority to interpret, apply, and declare the law (as by rendering a decision) to be removed to the State having jurisdiction of the crime — U.S. Constitution art. IV a court of competent jurisdiction — see also situs, International Shoe Co. v. Washington — compare venue

Note: Jurisdiction determines which court system should properly adjudicate a case. Questions of jurisdiction also arise regarding quasi-judicial bodies (as administrative agencies) in their decision-making capacities.

— alienage jurisdiction
: jurisdiction granted to federal courts over civil disputes between a state or citizen and a foreign state or citizens or subjects of a foreign state
— ancillary jurisdiction
: jurisdiction giving a court the power to adjudicate claims (as counterclaims and cross-claims) because they arise from a cause of action over which the court has original jurisdic

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