territorial waters

[ ter-i-tawr-ee-uhl waw-terz, wot-erz ]

plural noun

, International Law.

1. the waters of a coastal state or nation that are regarded as under the jurisdiction of the state or nation, traditionally within 3 miles (4.8 km) of the shore, but with claims by certain coastal nations that have extended to 12 or even 200 miles (20 or 322 km). Compare high sea ( def 1 ), marginal sea ( def 2 ).

territorial waters

plural noun

1. the waters over which a nation exercises jurisdiction and control

Word History and Origins

Origin of territorial waters¹

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

Even more striking, once the cables are a few miles offshore, beyond territorial waters, there is no law that protects them.

From The Daily Beast

Since 1922, no whaling has been conducted in the territorial waters of southeastern Alaska.

From Project Gutenberg

These different kinds of territorial waters will be separately discussed below in 176-197.

From Project Gutenberg

To the territory of a State belong not only the land within the State boundaries, but also the so-called territorial waters.

From Project Gutenberg

Only pieces of land together with the appurtenant territorial waters are alienable parts of territory.

From Project Gutenberg

Occasions for men-of-war to sail through foreign territorial waters and to enter foreign ports necessarily arise therefrom.

From Project Gutenberg