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jurisdiction

joor-iss-DIK-shun /ˌdʒʊə.rɪsˈdɪk.ʃən/

nounB2GRESATIELTSUPSC

formallegal

The official legal power, authority, or geographic territory within which a judicial or governing body may exercise control.

Can refer either to the legal right to rule on a matter or to the physical geographical boundary inside which those laws apply.

The story behind the word. From Latin 'jurisdictio' (literally 'speaking the law'). In ancient Roman law, it described the magistrate's official declaration of legal principles during trial proceedings before assigning a judge to decide the case.

Word relationships

authority: Authority is a broad term for the power to enforce compliance; jurisdiction specifically defines the legal boundary of that power.
domain: Domain is a wider term for an area of expertise or ownership, whereas jurisdiction is strictly legal.

powerlessness: Complete lack of legal right or authority to act.

Commonly confused with

sovereignty: Sovereignty is ultimate political supreme power; jurisdiction is the defined legal scope or territorial area where power is legally exercised.

Word family

jurisdictional (adjective): Relating to official legal authority or boundaries.

Collocations

territorial jurisdiction
exclusive jurisdiction
fall under jurisdiction
exercise jurisdiction

Example sentences

"The international court declared that the incident fell outside its territorial jurisdiction, leaving prosecution to national authorities." Judicial Governance
"Federal courts possess limited jurisdiction defined by statute, handling cases that involve constitutional rights or cross-border disputes." Constitutional Law

Memory hook

JURIS (law) + DICTION (speaking) = speaking the law where you hold power. Where your laws speak.

When not to use

Avoid using as a synonym for general influence; it strictly denotes formal, legally recognized authority.

Fun facts

In aviation law, crimes committed aboard international flights are governed by complex jurisdictional agreements, usually granting power to the country where the aircraft is registered.