jurisdiction
joor-iss-DIK-shun
/ˌdʒʊərɪsˈdɪkʃən/
The official power or extent of legal authority to make legal decisions, enforce laws, or administer justice.
Can refer both to the constitutional power itself and to the territorial zone within which that power applies.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'iurisdictio', combining 'ius' (law, right) and 'dictio' (declaration, speaking). It literally translates as 'speaking the law' or declaring legal authority.
Word relationships
- authority: 'Authority' is general power, whereas 'jurisdiction' specifies the boundary or legal scope of that power.
- powerlessness: Lacking any legal mandate or official boundary of control.
Commonly confused with
- domain: 'Domain' is a sphere of influence or land area; 'jurisdiction' is the legal mandate to act within a sphere.
Word family
- jurisdictional (adjective): Relating to official legal authority or boundary.
Collocations
- under the jurisdiction of
- territorial jurisdiction
- exercise jurisdiction
- exclusive jurisdiction
Example sentences
- "The local police department lacked jurisdiction to investigate financial crimes committed across state lines." Legal disputes over authority
Memory hook
JURIS (law) + DICTION (speaking) = speaking what the law is. Where your legal word is law.
When not to use
Do not use 'jurisdiction' when referring to informal moral authority; it refers strictly to official or legal mandate.
Fun facts
- Maritime law has unique rules of jurisdiction, creating 'international waters' where no single nation holds sole authority.
Related words
Also appears in
- Law → Legal Systems & Constitutions
- Law → Legislation & Lawmaking
- Law → International Law & Treaties
- Linguistics → Latin & Greek Roots: Dict (Speaking)
- Political Science & Governance → State Sovereignty & Statecraft
- Environmental Policy & Sustainability Economics → International Environmental Accords
- Political Science & Governance → Regionalism & Decentralization
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