'jurisdiction' originates from Latin, specifically the Medieval Latin word 'jurisdictio', where 'juris' (the genitive of 'ius') meant 'law' and 'dictio' (from 'dicere') meant 'speaking' or 'declaring'.

'jurisdiction' changed from the Medieval Latin word 'jurisdictio', passed into Anglo-Norman and Middle English usage, and eventually became the modern English word 'jurisdiction'.

Initially, it meant 'the act of declaring law' or 'authority to declare law', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'official power to make legal decisions and the area over which such power extends'.