jurisdiction
nounUK /ˌdʒʊərɪsˈdɪkʃən/
US /ˌdʒʊrɪsˈdɪkʃən/
The power or right to make decisions and enforce laws in a certain place.
The police officer had jurisdiction over the whole town.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. The area or place where a court or government has power.
The crime happened outside the city's jurisdiction.
3. The official power to hear and decide a legal case.
The judge questioned whether the court had jurisdiction over the matter.
4. A system or body that has authority over a particular area.
Different jurisdictions have different traffic laws.