Definition of 'territory'

Word Frequency

territory

(terətri , US -tɔːri )

Word forms: plural territories

1. variable noun

Territory is land which is controlled by a particular country or ruler.

The government denies that any of its territory is under rebel control.

...Russian territory.

Synonyms: district, area, land, region More Synonyms of territory

2. countable noun

A territory is a country or region that is controlled by another country.

They just want to return to their families in the occupied territories.

He toured some of the disputed territories now under U.N. control.

3. uncountable noun

You can use territory to refer to an area of knowledge or experience.

Following the futuristic The Handmaid's Tale, her next novel returned to more familiar territory.

This is difficult territory because it involves uncomfortable issues.

4. virgin territory

5. variable noun

An animal's territory is an area which it regards as its own and which it defends when other animals try to enter it.

The territory of a cat only remains fixed for as long as the cat dominates the area.

6. uncountable noun [usually adjective NOUN]

Territory is land with a particular character.

...mountainous territory.

...a vast and uninhabited territory.

come with the territory

Video: pronunciation of 'territory'

Word Frequency

territory in British

(ˈtɛrɪtərɪ , -trɪ)

noun plural -ries

any tract of land; district

the geographical domain under the jurisdiction of a political unit, esp of a sovereign state

the district for which an agent, etc is responsible

a salesman's territory

an area inhabited and defended by an individual animal or a breeding group of animals

an area of knowledge

science isn't my territory

(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

Word origin of 'territory'

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

Word Frequency

Territory in British

(ˈtɛrɪtərɪ , -trɪ)

noun

the Territory

Word Frequency

territory in American

(ˈtɛrəˌtɔri ; terˈətôrˌē)

nounWord forms: plural ˈterriˌtories

the land and waters under the jurisdiction of a nation, state, ruler, etc.

a part of a country or empire that does not have the full status of a principal division

; specif.,

a. US; [T-]; Obsolete

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

b. [T-]

a similar region, as in Canada or Australia, without the status of a province or state

Example sentences containing 'territory'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

He came of age in an occupied territory. Times, Sunday Times (2016)But this is a whole new territory for me with ballroom. The Sun (2016)Back on familiar territory to face his old club and the team he regards as the best in the world. The Sun (2016)You are ready to free up time for yourself to take a learning plan forward and explore new love territory. The Sun (2016)This was meant to be a showcase on new territory at Coventry. The Sun (2016)It shows how company profits growth has ground to a halt across the world and entered negative territory in Europe. Times, Sunday Times (2016)This is familiar territory for Sewell. Times, Sunday Times (2016)It is familiar territory for the Riverside Stadium. Times, Sunday Times (2017)The yield on its two-year debt entered negative territory just over a year ago and was still negative on Friday. Times, Sunday Times (2016)We were taught a few lessons about intelligent use of territory also. The Sun (2015)Recruitment by factories was only just in positive territory. Times, Sunday Times (2014)But both areas lost territory and both increasingly felt the threat of further takeovers. Stearns, Peter N. World History: Patterns of Change and Continuity (1995)This terror group craves territory and infrastructure. The Sun (2015)This is one that has returned to the territory where it will nest in the summer. Times, Sunday Times (2012)The band are entering new territory as they plan their first live tour as a trio. The Sun (2014)This is new territory for us all. The Sun (2009)They were deep in enemy territory now. Iain Gale Man of Honour (2007)The task of charting out new territory involves not just learning how to survey and make sense of what was previously unknown. Kantrow, Alan M. The Constraints of Corporate Tradition (1987)The insurgents opened up a third front next to Russia but miles away from previous rebel territory. Times, Sunday Times (2014)Russia loses a vast swathe of territory to Germany. The Sun (2014)They controlled territory and Gloucester hardly escaped from being pinned in their own half. Times, Sunday Times (2011)The more he sees of the district, the more he comes to understand it as an occupied territory. Times, Sunday Times (2009)In their eyes he stood for political aims that they regarded as a threat to their control over the key political areas in the territory. Times, Sunday Times (2011)Bad as life is in government territory, many will admit the rebel zone suffers the brunt of the violence. Times, Sunday Times (2016)This is familiar territory for Rose. Times, Sunday Times (2012)Initially, they sang only at dawn and dusk and spent much time squabbling while establishing territories at either end of our garden. Times, Sunday Times (2016)A historic referendum announced yesterday will allow them to have their say on the disputed territory's future. The Sun (2012)If it was, then there was a right of appeal if it was not in accordance with the law to specify that country or territory. Times, Sunday Times (2010)The earth has been shaken and has trembled, because the Lord has caused his land to lose territory. Christianity Today (2000)The only way in which he could retain that territory at the end of the war was if'friendly' governments were established there. The Times Literary Supplement (2013)