territory
gb/tˈɛɹɪtˌɔɹi/ us/tˈɛɹɪtˌɔɹi/
B1
English
~ 2100
terület, államterület, körzet, territórium, szakterület, terep, világ
NOUN
B1
1
terület
A2
államterület
C1
Usage pattern:
[country/government] controls [territory]
The island has been recognized as part of the country's territory since 1850.
A szigetet 1850 óta az ország területéhez tartozónak ismerik el.
The two nations are in conflict over the disputed territory.
A két ország konfliktusban áll a vitatott terület miatt.
Military forces were sent to defend the territory from invasion.
The treaty resulted in the loss of a large portion of their territory.
Learner examples
That land is part of our country's territory.
Az a földterület az országunk területéhez tartozik.
They are fighting over the territory.
A területért harcolnak.
The army protects the territory.
We live in the south of the territory.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'territory' with 'terrain'; 'terrain' means the physical features of the land, not political control.
Meaning
land controlled by authority
Collocations
disputed territory
|foreign territory
|occupied territory
|national territory
|territorial dispute
Synonyms
region (A general area, but without the specific idea of political control.)
|
domain (Often used for areas controlled by a ruler or authority, sometimes metaphorical.)
Antonyms
international waters (Areas of the sea not under the control of any country.)
Themes
geography
|politics
|law
Definition
Land that belongs to and is ruled by a country or leader.
An area of land that is under the political control or jurisdiction of a particular country, ruler, or governing body.
NOUN
B2
2
Usage pattern:
[someone] controls [territory]
Each salesperson is responsible for their own sales territory.
Minden értékesítő a saját értékesítési területéért felel.
This part of the city is considered gang territory.
A városnak ezt a részét bandák által uralt területnek tartják.
The manager's territory includes three different regions.
Learner examples
This street is his gang's territory.
Ez az utca az ő bandájának a területe.
I work in the north sales territory.
Az északi értékesítési területen dolgozom.
That store is outside my territory.
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'territory' here always means physical land; it can also refer to non-physical areas of control.
Meaning
area of influence or control
Collocations
sales territory
|exclusive territory
|assigned territory
Synonyms
jurisdiction (Legal authority over an area or activity.)
|
turf (Informal term for an area one controls or defends.)
Antonyms
neutral ground (Area where no one has control or claim.)
Themes
business
|social
|politics
Definition
An area where a person or group is in charge or has control.
An area or sphere in which someone has power, influence, or responsibility.
NOUN
B1
3
terület
A2
territórium
C1
Usage pattern:
[animal] defends [territory]
Male lions mark their territory with scent.
A hím oroszlánok szagnyomokkal jelölik meg a területüket.
Birds often sing to defend their territory.
A madarak gyakran énekelnek, hogy megvédjék a területüket.
The cat sprayed the fence to mark its territory.
Learner examples
The dog barks to protect its territory.
A kutya ugat, hogy megvédje a területét.
A tiger has a big territory.
Egy tigrisnek nagy a területe.
Birds sing to keep other birds out of their territory.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'territory' with 'habitat'; a habitat is where an animal lives, but a territory is actively defended.
Meaning
animal's defended area
Collocations
mark territory
|defend territory
|territorial behavior
Synonyms
home range (The area an animal uses for living and feeding, not necessarily defended.)
Antonyms
shared habitat (Area used by multiple animals without defense.)
Themes
nature
|biology
|animals
Definition
The space an animal keeps and protects from other animals like it.
An area that an animal claims and defends against others of its species.
NOUN
B2
4
This project takes us into new territory for our company.
Ez a projekt új terepre viszi a cégünket.
Physics is not my territory; I'm more into chemistry.
A fizika nem az én területem; engem inkább a kémia érdekel.
Writing fiction was unfamiliar territory for her.
Learner examples
This job is new territory for me.
Ez a munka új terep számomra.
Cooking is his special territory.
A főzés az ő igazi terepe.
Math is not my territory.
Common mistake:
Learners may interpret this meaning literally as land instead of an abstract area of activity.
Meaning
subject area or field
Collocations
new territory
|unknown territory
|familiar territory
Synonyms
domain (A field or area of interest or expertise.)
|
sphere (A metaphorical area of activity or influence.)
Antonyms
outside one's field (Not within someone's knowledge or expertise.)
Themes
education
|work
Definition
A subject or type of work someone knows well.
A particular field of activity, interest, or knowledge.
Grammar
Dictionary form
territory
IPA
GB/tˈɛɹɪtˌɔɹi/
US/tˈɛɹɪtˌɔɹi/
Syllables & stress
ter - rit - ory (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ter)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: territory
- Plural: territories, territory
Word family
Forms
territories
noun
Core family
territorial
adjective B2
Related words
territorially
adverb
Advanced or less common
territoriality
noun
Expressions
go into new territory
1/ɡˈoʊ ˈɪntu njˈu tˈɛɹɪtˌɔɹi/
fixed phrase
start unfamiliar work/area
To start doing something new that you have not done before.
Examples
- The company is going into new territory with its latest product line.
- As a teacher, she went into new territory by teaching online classes.
in uncharted territory
1/ˈɪn ʌnt͡ʃˈɑɹtɪd tˈɛɹɪtˌɔɹi/
idiom
in a completely new situation
In a situation that no one has experience with before.
Examples
- With this new technology, we're in uncharted territory.
- After moving abroad alone, she felt she was in uncharted territory.
mark one's territory
1/mˈɑɹk wˈʌnz tˈɛɹɪtˌɔɹi/
idiom
show ownership or control
To show clearly that something belongs to you or is under your control.
Examples
- He marked his territory at work by putting his name on everything on his desk.
- The dog marked its territory on the fence.