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territory Definition

ter·ri·tory (ter′ə tôr′ē)

noun pl. -·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

territory Synonyms

territory

n.

  1. A specified area

    region, township, empire; see area 2.

  2. An area organized politically under the central government

    commonwealth, colony, protectorate, dominion, province, mandate; see also nation 1.

  3. An indefinite area

    section, area, boundary; see region 1.

territory Usage Examples

Preposition: of

USSR: Failing this, the development could proceed only in the direction of the triumph of the capitalist counter-revolution on the territories of the USSR.

Converse of object

  • conquer: You can read more about the race to conquer this new territory in the following scene: STORY: Space: The final frontier?
  • occupy: Inevitably, this left the British and French occupying the adjacent territory.
  • invade: A third wave of 617 Squadron's aircraft was now invading German territory, as an airborne reserve to fill in the gaps.
  • inhabit: Now, archeologists cut a trench through territory once inhabited by folk they find interesting.
  • cede: Under a formal peace treaty signed in 1947, the Finns agreed to cede territory to the then USSR and pay reparation.
  • forbid: The drawing room was not always forbidden territory, and sometimes I could enter the sanctuary.

Adjective modifier

  • occupied: Their military experience is limited to racist attacks in uniform in the occupied territories.
  • uncharted: Not merely content with having redefined dance music with 808 State, Graham Massey steers the good ship Toolshed into uncharted music territories.
  • unfamiliar: For most members of SEAC, policy on animal breeding was unfamiliar territory.
  • overseas: However, the British Empire was not the first instance of English sovereigns ruling overseas territories.
  • disputed: The British subsequently asked Portugal for assurance that the disputed territory would not be settled.

Modifies a noun

citizen: I will observe its laws faithfully and fulfill my duties and obligations as a British overseas territories citizen.

Noun used with modifier

  • enemy: Well, here we are, deep, deep in enemy territory.
  • coverage: Them on the coverage territory can lawyers or consumers.
  • frontier: Here people in the lonely, wild frontier territories were able to gather and pledge their faith.
  • colonial: Many former colonial territories delayed several years after independence before they joined the Fund.
  • monkey: Winter: From October to Easter, most work is in the grounds and gardens including monkey territory maintenance.
  • franchise: The Franchise is operated from home, with teaching studios being established in suitable halls within the franchise territory.