noun pl. territories -·ries

1. the land and waters under the jurisdiction of a nation, state, ruler, etc.
2. a part of a country or empire that does not have the full status of a principal division; specif.,
   1. ☆ a part of the U.S. having its own legislature but without the status of a state and under the administration of an appointed governor
   2. a similar region, as in Canada or Australia, without the status of a province or state
3. any large tract of land; region; district
4. ☆ an assigned area, as of a traveling salesman or franchised dealer
5. any specified area or region foul territory in a ballpark
6. a sphere or province of action, existence, thought, etc.
7. Ethology the particular area occupied by an animal or group of animals; esp., the specific area appropriated by an animal or pair of animals, usually for breeding, nesting, and foraging purposes, and forcibly defended against by any intruders
8. Football, Hockey, etc. that half of the playing area defended by a specified team

Etymology: ME < L territorium < terra, terra