territorial
gb/tˌɛɹɪtˈɔɹiəl/ us/tˌɛɹɪtˈɔɹiəl/
B2
English
~ 9800
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
relating to a country’s land or sea
About the land, sea, or air that is owned or controlled by a country or region.
Usage pattern:
territorial [noun]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "territorial" with "regional". "Territorial" focuses on legal control or ownership of land, sea, or air by a state or authority, while "regional" simply means related to a geographic area without implying legal control. For example, say "territorial waters" (controlled by a state), not "regional waters".
Synonyms
sovereign (Stresses full and independent authority, often broader than just land or sea areas.)
Antonyms
international (Describes areas or matters not belonging to one state, but shared or between states.)
Collocations
territorial waters
|territorial dispute
|territorial integrity
|territorial claims
|territorial boundaries
|territorial sovereignty
Themes
politics
|geography
|law
|space
Examples
- The two countries are locked in a long-running territorial dispute over the islands.
- The navy increased patrols to defend the nation’s territorial waters.
- Respect for territorial integrity is a basic principle of international law.
- The treaty clearly defines the country’s territorial boundaries.
- Their territorial claims overlap in the Arctic region.
Learner examples
- The ship entered Japanese territorial waters.
- There is a territorial dispute between the two countries.
- War broke out after several territorial conflicts.
- They signed an agreement to protect the country’s territorial integrity.
- The map shows the territorial limits of the state.
adjective
B2
property
2
protective of one’s own area
Wanting to keep and protect your own space, things, or relationships, and not share them with others.
Usage pattern:
[someone]/[something] is territorial (about [something])
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "territorial" only applies to animals. It is also common for people, especially about their space, belongings, or relationships (e.g. "territorial about his car"). Another mistake is using it for general nationalism; for that, "patriotic" or "nationalistic" is usually better unless you mean defending land or space.
Synonyms
possessive (Often used more about people and relationships than physical space; emotional ownership rather than physical territory.)
Antonyms
easygoing (Describes someone who does not strongly defend their space or possessions and is relaxed about sharing.)
Collocations
highly territorial
|be very territorial
|territorial animals
|territorial behavior
|territorial instincts
|territorial about [something]
Themes
animals
|emotions
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Cats can be very territorial and may fight if another cat enters their space.
- He’s extremely territorial about his desk and hates it when colleagues move his things.
- The dogs showed territorial behavior whenever strangers approached the yard.
- Some primates are less territorial and share overlapping home ranges.
- She became territorial about her new responsibilities at work.
Learner examples
- My cat is very territorial and will not let other cats into the garden.
- He is territorial about his room and does not want anyone to enter.
- The dog gets territorial when a stranger comes to the house.
- Some animals are territorial and mark their space.
- She is territorial about her friends and does not like to share their time.
Noun
C1
entity
3
member of the Territorial Army
In the UK, a person who serves part-time in the army’s reserve force, called the Territorial Army or its later versions.
Usage pattern:
a Territorial; Territorials
Common mistake:
Learners may assume "territorial" as a noun is common in all English varieties. In fact, this use is mainly British and often historical or institutional. In most contexts, "reservist" is the more general word.
Synonyms
reservist (General term for someone in the military reserve; not specific to the UK Territorial Army.)
Antonyms
regular (In a military context, a full-time professional soldier, as opposed to a part-time Territorial.)
Collocations
a Territorial
|former Territorial
|Territorial unit
|Territorial service
Themes
military
|society
|politics
Examples
- He served as a Territorial for many years before being called up for active duty.
- Many Territorials were mobilized at the start of the conflict.
- Her grandfather was a Territorial in a local infantry unit.
Learner examples
- Her father was a Territorial in the British Army.
- Many Territorials trained together at the weekend.
- As a Territorial, he had a civilian job during the week.
- The museum has photos of local Territorials from the war.
Grammar
Dictionary form
territorial
IPA
GB/tˌɛɹɪtˈɔɹiəl/
US/tˌɛɹɪtˈɔɹiəl/
Syllables & stress
ter - rit - ori - al (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (ori)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: territorial
Word family
Core family
territory
noun B1
Related words
territorially
adverb
Advanced or less common
territoriality
noun
extraterritorial
adjective C2
Expressions
territorial aggression
1/tˌɛɹɪtˈɔɹiəl əɡɹˈɛʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
aggression used to defend territory
Aggressive actions by an animal or person to protect their own space or area.
Examples
- Territorial aggression is common in many bird species during the breeding season.
- The dog’s territorial aggression increases when strangers approach the gate.
territorial behavior
1/tˌɛɹɪtˈɔɹiəl bɪhˈeɪvjɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
defensive behavior toward one’s area
Behavior where an animal or person tries to protect their own area or things from others.
Examples
- The study examined territorial behavior in urban foxes.
- His territorial behavior at work made colleagues uncomfortable.
territorial claims
1/tˌɛɹɪtˈɔɹiəl klˈeɪmz/
fixed phrase
assertions of land ownership
Statements or demands by a country or group that a certain land or sea area belongs to them.
Examples
- Several nations have made territorial claims in the region.
- They agreed to freeze new territorial claims while negotiations continue.
territorial dispute
1/tˌɛɹɪtˈɔɹiəl dɪspjˈut/
fixed phrase
conflict over land ownership
A serious argument or conflict about who owns or controls a piece of land or sea.
Examples
- The countries are involved in a long-standing territorial dispute over the border region.
- The territorial dispute has led to several minor clashes along the frontier.
territorial waters
1/tˌɛɹɪtˈɔɹiəl wˈɔtɚz/
fixed phrase
sea legally controlled by a state
The part of the sea near a country’s coast that is legally part of that country.
Examples
- The fishing boat was arrested for entering territorial waters without permission.
- Oil was found just outside the country’s territorial waters.
territorial integrity
1/tˌɛɹɪtˈɔɹiəl ɪntˈɛɡɹɪti/
fixed phrase
formal
protection of a state’s borders
The idea that a country’s land and borders should stay whole and not be changed or taken by another country.
Examples
- The resolution reaffirms the country’s territorial integrity.
- The government insisted that its territorial integrity must be respected.
- They argued the plan violates territorial integrity.
- The peace agreement guarantees the territorial integrity of all neighboring states.