Meaning & use

jurisdiction

noun·Academic

The official power or authority to make legal decisions and judgments, or the territory in which that authority applies.

See it in a sentence

The case fell outside the court's jurisdiction, so it was transferred elsewhere.

Different jurisdictions have very different laws about how quickly a contract can be canceled.

A note on using this word

Jurisdiction can mean both the legal power itself and the geographic or administrative area over which it applies.

Words with a similar meaning

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