Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Jurisdiction Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

⚖️
Add to dictionary

jurisdiction

[ˌdʒʊərɪsˈdɪkʃən ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

legal system

The official power to make legal decisions and judgements. Jurisdiction can refer to the authority of a court or other legal body to hear and decide a case, or to the geographical area within which a court or other legal body has the right and power to operate.

Synonyms

authority, control, power.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
jurisdiction

Use when referring to the legal power or right a particular court or law enforcement body has over a specific area or issue.

  • This case falls under the jurisdiction of the federal court.
  • The police do not have jurisdiction outside their city.
authority

Use to describe the legitimate or official power to make decisions, give orders, and enforce rules or laws.

  • The manager has the authority to approve such requests.
  • He spoke with an air of authority.
control

Use when emphasizing the management, direction, or command over something or someone, often in daily, practical situations.

  • She gained control over the entire project.
  • The remote control operates the television.
power

Use to indicate strength, influence, or the ability to act in a particular way. This word can have both neutral and negative connotations depending on the context.

  • The president has significant power within the government.
  • Social media has the power to influence public opinion.

Examples of usage

  • The Supreme Court has jurisdiction over cases involving federal law.
  • The local court only has jurisdiction within the county boundaries.
Context #2 | Noun

government

The territory or sphere of activity over which the legal, executive, or legislative authority of a government extends.

Synonyms

domain, realm, territory.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
jurisdiction

Typically used in legal and governmental contexts to refer to the official power to make legal decisions and judgments.

  • The court has jurisdiction over this case.
  • They were arrested outside of the police's jurisdiction.
territory

Generally used to describe geographic areas that are under the control of a particular government, group, or individual; sometimes used in a metaphorical sense to describe areas of expertise or interest.

  • The wildlife territory is protected by law.
  • She ventured into new territory with her latest research.
domain

Used to refer to an area of knowledge, activity, or interest; can also refer to internet domains.

  • This falls under the domain of computational biology.
  • She excels in the domain of digital marketing.
realm

Often used in a more abstract or metaphorical sense, referring to a field or area of interest or activity; can also mean a kingdom in historical or fantasy contexts.

  • Within the realm of possibility, anything can happen.
  • The prince ruled over his realm wisely.

Examples of usage

  • The federal government has jurisdiction over matters of national security.
  • The city council's jurisdiction includes zoning regulations.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Legal System

  • In many countries, jurisdiction is divided into civil, criminal, and administrative types, defining what court handles what cases.
  • Jurisdiction can be local, state, federal, or international, affecting how laws are enforced depending on the location.
  • Courts often have exclusive or concurrent jurisdiction, meaning only certain courts can hear specific cases, or multiple courts may handle the same case.

Pop Culture

  • In television shows involving law, such as 'Law & Order', jurisdiction can often create conflict between law enforcement agencies.
  • Movies often depict characters struggling with jurisdictional issues, such as a crime committed across state lines attracting attention from multiple authorities.
  • Jurisdiction is sometimes humorously misinterpreted in cartoons, where characters can defy laws, leading to ridiculous situations.

International Relations

  • In international law, the concept of jurisdiction governs how countries interact and enforce laws unsanctioned by others.
  • Issues like cybercrime often challenge traditional notions of jurisdiction due to the borderless nature of the internet.
  • Human rights cases can lead to jurisdiction disputes when individuals seek justice across different nations.

Philosophy

  • Jurisdiction raises questions about moral authority and who has the right to enforce laws in various contexts.
  • Philosophers often debate the ethical implications of jurisdiction, especially in cases of global justice.
  • The concept also ties into the social contract theory, which discusses the agreement between individuals and their governing bodies regarding law and authority.

Origin of 'jurisdiction'

Main points about word origin

  • The term comes from the Latin 'jurisdictio', where 'juris' means law and 'dictio' means to speak – literally, to speak the law.
  • Originally used in legal contexts, the word appeared in English around the 15th century, reflecting the structured nature of law.
  • In different languages, similar terms also depict the same idea of law and authority, highlighting a commonality in legal frameworks around the world.

The word 'jurisdiction' comes from the Latin term 'jurisdictio', which combines 'jus' (law) and 'dictio' (declaration). Originally, in Roman law, it referred to the declaration of the law by a judge. Over time, the term evolved to encompass the official power and authority to apply the law within a specific area or domain. The concept of jurisdiction is fundamental to legal systems around the world, establishing the boundaries within which legal decisions are valid and enforceable.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,290, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.