jurisdiction

Meanings

1. 1noununcountablelegal

   The official power of a court or authority to make decisions in a case or area.

   Grammar: Often with over: jurisdiction over a case.

   Patterns

   • jurisdiction over something
   • have jurisdiction

   The court has jurisdiction over contract disputes.

   The matter falls under federal jurisdiction.

   The judge said the case was outside her jurisdiction.

2. 2nouncountable

   The area or region where an authority's power applies.

   Grammar: Often a place: within the jurisdiction.

   Patterns

   • in a jurisdiction
   • within the jurisdiction

   Laws vary from one jurisdiction to another.

   The police chief patrols a large jurisdiction.

   The company must follow rules in every jurisdiction where it operates.

3. 3noununcountableinformal

   The range of matters someone is responsible for or in charge of.

   Grammar: Informal sense of area of responsibility: not in my jurisdiction.

   Patterns

   • in someone's jurisdiction

   Parking rules are not in my jurisdiction.

   The office manager's jurisdiction includes supplies.

   That decision is outside the committee's jurisdiction.

Word forms

Common combinations

have jurisdiction over

The state has jurisdiction over local schools.

fall under jurisdiction

The crime falls under federal jurisdiction.

outside someone's jurisdiction

The matter is outside our jurisdiction.

legal jurisdiction

Each legal jurisdiction has its own rules.

within the jurisdiction

Police acted within the jurisdiction of the county.

Synonyms and how they differ

authority

Authority is the power itself, while jurisdiction is the official range of that power.

remit

Remit is a British word for the set of tasks given to a person or group.

territory

Territory is the land itself, whereas jurisdiction is the legal power over it.

domain

Domain is a general area of control or knowledge, with a less legal feel.

Word family

jurisdictional adjective

relating to jurisdiction

juridical adjective

relating to law and judges

jury noun

a group that decides a case

just adjective

fair, from the same Latin root of law

Commonly confused: jurisdiction or jurisprudence?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “jurisdiction”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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