three-mile limit

[ three-mahyl lim-it ]

noun

, International Law.

1. the limit of the territorial waters of 3 miles (4.8 km), which is included within the jurisdiction of the state or nation possessing the coast.

three-mile limit

noun

1. international law the range of a nation's territorial waters, extending to three nautical miles from shore

Word History and Origins

Origin of three-mile limit¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Mr. Andrews, a Labor Party leader running a state that veers left, may have gone further than needed with the curfew, restrictions on time outdoors and the three-mile limit on travel.

From New York Times

“There was no privacy in Hollywood. But when they got on the water and beyond the three-mile limit, out there, they could drop all the pretense and be their authentic selves.”

From New York Times

While some states asserted broader maritime claims, the three-mile limit was widely accepted in Europe.

From Wall Street Journal

If the field stretches beyond the three-mile limit of state waters, Caelus would need a federal lease to tap those reserves.

From Washington Post

Parents said Talgarth was right on the three-mile limit and some of its children travelled for free, while about 23 had to pay.

From BBC