territory

[ ter-i-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]

noun

, plural ter·ri·to·ries.

1. any tract of land; region or district.
2. the land and waters belonging to or under the jurisdiction of a state, sovereign, etc.

   Synonyms: sovereignty, dominion, domain

3. any separate tract of land belonging to a state.
4. (often initial capital letter) Government.
   1. a region or district of the U.S. not admitted to the Union as a state but having its own legislature, with a governor and other officers appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
   2. some similar district elsewhere, as in Canada and Australia.
5. a field or sphere of action, thought, etc.; domain or province of something.
6. the region or district assigned to a representative, agent, or the like, as for making sales.
7. the area that an animal defends against intruders, especially of the same species.

Territory

¹

/ ˈtɛrɪtərɪ; -trɪ /

noun

1. the Territory
   See Northern Territory

territory

²

/ ˈtɛrɪtərɪ; -trɪ /

noun

1. any tract of land; district
2. the geographical domain under the jurisdiction of a political unit, esp of a sovereign state
3. the district for which an agent, etc, is responsible

   a salesman's territory

4. an area inhabited and defended by an individual animal or a breeding group of animals
5. an area of knowledge

   science isn't my territory

6. (in football, hockey, etc) the area defended by a team
7. often capital a region of a country, esp of a federal state, that enjoys less autonomy and a lower status than most constituent parts of the state
8. often capital a protectorate or other dependency of a country

territory

/ tĕr′ĭ-tôr′ē /

1. A geographic area occupied by a single animal, mating pair, or group. Animals usually defend their territory vigorously against intruders, especially of the same species, but the defense often takes the form of prominent, threatening displays rather than out-and-out fighting. Different animals mark off territory in different ways, as by leaving traces of their scent along the boundaries or, in the case of birds, modifying their calls to keep out intruders.

Other Words From

• sub·terri·tory noun plural subterritories

Word History and Origins

Origin of territory¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin territōrium “land around a town, district,” from terr(a) “land” + -i- -i- + -tōrium -tory ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of territory¹

C15: from Latin territōrium land surrounding a town, from terra land

Idioms and Phrases

see come with the territory ; cover the field (territory) .

Example Sentences

"It was a response to continued attacks on our territory by Atacms missiles," Putin said.

From BBC

The result is a fascinating portrait about holding the line, in which the territory is as much a collective state of mind as an encroached-upon sovereignty.

From Los Angeles Times

Some European Union countries have indicated that they will respect the ICC's decision, while others have declined to say what they would do if Netanyahu entered their territory.

From BBC

Israel’s agenda in Lebanon is more limited than in Gaza and the rest of the occupied Palestinian territories.

From BBC

“It was very delicate territory to tread and particularly brave of Nick to go there,” says Law.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• area
• colony
• country
• district
• enclave
• field
• land
• nation
• neighborhood
• province
• sector
• state
• street
• terrain
• zone