territorial

1 of 2

adjective

ter·​ri·​to·​ri·​al ˌter-ə-ˈtȯr-ē-əl How to pronounce territorial (audio)
1
a
: of or relating to a territory
territorial government
b
: of or relating to or organized chiefly for home defense
c
: of or relating to private property
2
a
: exhibiting or involving territoriality
territorial birds
b
: of or relating to an assigned or preempted area
territorial commanders
3
a
b
: serving outlying areas : regional
territorially adverb

territorial

2 of 2

noun

: a member of a territorial military unit

Examples of territorial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Since late 2020, People’s Liberation Army aircraft have flown through Taiwan’s air defense identification zone—a buffer area outside its territorial airspace—on a near-daily basis. David Sacks, Foreign Affairs, 8 Nov. 2024 Instead, China is likely to keep up military and other pressure on Taiwan, as well as pressing its vast territorial claims in the South China Sea. Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
Noun
Between them, the army, air assault forces, marine corps, territorials and national guard have formed scores of new brigades, each with up to 2,000 troops and hundreds of vehicles. David Axe, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 The Ukrainian force is a mix of battalions from the army, the separate air assault forces and the territorials. David Axe, Forbes, 12 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for territorial 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1625, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Noun

1907, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of territorial was in 1625

Dictionary Entries Near territorial

Cite this Entry

“Territorial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/territorial. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

territorial

adjective
ter·​ri·​to·​ri·​al
ˌter-ə-ˈtōr-ē-əl,
-ˈtȯr-
1
: of or relating to a territory
territorial claims
2
: organized chiefly for territorial defense
a territorial army
3
: showing or involving territoriality
territorial birds
territorial noun
territorially
-ē-ə-lē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on territorial

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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