territory
noun
ter·ri·to·ry
ˈter-ə-ˌtȯr-ē 
plural territories
1
a
: a geographic area belonging to or under the jurisdiction of a governmental authority
b
: an administrative subdivision of a country
c
: a part of the U.S. not included within any state but organized with a separate legislature
d
: a geographic area (such as a colonial possession) dependent on an external government but having some degree of autonomy
2
a
: an indeterminate geographic area
b
: a field of knowledge or interest
3
a
: an assigned area
especially
: one in which a sales representative or distributor operates
b
: an area often including a nesting or denning site and a variable foraging range that is occupied and defended by an animal or group of animals
Examples of territory in a Sentence
Those mountains are in Mexican territory.
Guam is a U.S. territory.
The birds are busy establishing territories and building nests.
Male cats spray to mark territory.
The goal of the expedition is to map unexplored territory.
Recent Examples on the Web
Rust has sold in some foreign territories, but producers are still seeking a U.S. distributor.
—
Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024
The Modern Bomber + Straight Leg Jeans The bomber jacket has surpassed trendy and moved into wardrobe staple territory thanks to its transitional qualities.
—Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 20 Nov. 2024
Ukraine countered with an unexpected offensive into Russian territory in the Kursk region, making surprising gains and exposing Putin’s weakness.
—Katya Soldak, Forbes, 19 Nov. 2024
Standing on their decades of experience and mutual respect for one another in their respective and cross-over lanes, both hosts set out to expand their territory with intent.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 19 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for territory 
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Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024
The Modern Bomber + Straight Leg Jeans The bomber jacket has surpassed trendy and moved into wardrobe staple territory thanks to its transitional qualities.
—Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 20 Nov. 2024
Ukraine countered with an unexpected offensive into Russian territory in the Kursk region, making surprising gains and exposing Putin’s weakness.
—Katya Soldak, Forbes, 19 Nov. 2024
Standing on their decades of experience and mutual respect for one another in their respective and cross-over lanes, both hosts set out to expand their territory with intent.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 19 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for territory
Dictionary Entries Near territory
Cite this Entry
“Territory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/territory. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
territory
noun
ter·ri·to·ry
ˈter-ə-ˌtōr-ē
-ˌtȯr-
plural territories
1
a
: a geographic area belonging to or under the control of a government
b
: a part of the U.S. not included within any state but having a separate governing body
2
a
: an assigned area
a sales representative's territory
b
: an area that is occupied and defended by an animal or group of animals
Legal Definition
territory
noun
ter·ri·to·ry
ˈter-ə-ˌtōr-ē
plural territories
1
: a geographical area belonging to or under the jurisdiction of a governmental authority
2
: a political subdivision of a country
3
: a part of the U.S. (as Guam or the U.S. Virgin Islands) not included within any state but organized with a separate legislature compare trust territory
territorially
adverb
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