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

You have the right, as captain of a ship outside the three-mile limit, to marry folks in an emergency.

From Project Gutenberg

The Colleen was pretty well inshore then, and yet safe outside the three-mile limit in our judgment.

From Project Gutenberg

As a matter of fact, outside the three-mile limit, she practically owns the waters of the world.

From Project Gutenberg

Beyond the three-mile limit, the ocean becomes the "high seas," and is then open to anybody.

From Project Gutenberg

The water was as a general rule too deep outside the three-mile limit for legitimate fishing.

From Project Gutenberg