jurisdiction

n. legal authority, right to make legal decisions; authority; range of authority, territory over which authority is exercised

In law, jurisdiction (from the Latin ius, iuris meaning "law" and dicere meaning "to speak") is the practical authority granted to a formally constituted legal body or to a political leader to deal with and make pronouncements on legal matters and, by implication, to administer justice within a defined area of responsibility.
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Noun
1. (law) the right and power to interpret and apply the law; "courts having jurisdiction in this district"
(synonym) legal power
(hypernym) power, powerfulness
(classification) law, jurisprudence
2. in law; the territory within which power can be exercised
(hypernym) district, territory, territorial dominion, dominion
(hyponym) abbacy

(a.)
The legal power, right, or authority of a particular court to hear and determine causes, to try criminals, or to execute justice; judicial authority over a cause or class of causes; as, certain suits or actions, or the cognizance of certain crimes, are within the jurisdiction of a particular court, that is, within the limits of its authority or commission.
  

(a.)
The authority of a sovereign power to govern or legislate; the right of making or enforcing laws; the power or right of exercising authority.
  

(a.)
Sphere of authority; the limits within which any particular power may be exercised, or within which a government or a court has authority.
  

Legal authority or the territory in which such authority is extended. In international law, a conflict of jurisdiction arises where two or more States claim legal authority over a matter.