Definition of: jurisdiction

(jr′is·dik′shən) noun
1. Lawful right to exercise official authority, whether executive, legislative, or judicial.
2. The territory within or the matter over which such authority may be lawfully exercised.
3. A judicature; a court, or series of courts, of justice.
4. Power of those in authority; control. [<OF juridiction <L jurisdictio, -onis <jus, juris law + dicere declare]
—ju′ris·dic′tion·al adjective
—ju′ris·dic′tion·al·ly adverb