territory
gb/tˈɛɹɪtˌɔɹi/ us/tˈɛɹɪtˌɔɹi/
B1
English
~ 2100
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
land controlled by authority
Land that belongs to and is ruled by a country or leader.
Usage pattern:
[country/government] controls [territory]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'territory' with 'terrain'; 'terrain' means the physical features of the land, not political control.
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.)
Collocations
disputed territory
|foreign territory
|occupied territory
|national territory
|territorial dispute
Themes
geography
|politics
|law
Examples
- The island has been recognized as part of the country's territory since 1850.
- The two nations are in conflict over the disputed territory.
- 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.
- They are fighting over the territory.
- The army protects the territory.
- We live in the south of the territory.
Noun
B2
entity
2
area of influence or control
An area where a person or group is in charge or has control.
Usage pattern:
[someone] controls [territory]
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'territory' here always means physical land; it can also refer to non-physical areas of control.
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.)
Collocations
sales territory
|exclusive territory
|assigned territory
Themes
business
|social
|politics
Examples
- Each salesperson is responsible for their own sales territory.
- This part of the city is considered gang territory.
- The manager's territory includes three different regions.
Learner examples
- This street is his gang's territory.
- I work in the north sales territory.
- That store is outside my territory.
Noun
B1
entity
3
animal's defended area
The space an animal keeps and protects from other animals like it.
Usage pattern:
[animal] defends [territory]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'territory' with 'habitat'; a habitat is where an animal lives, but a territory is actively defended.
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.)
Collocations
mark territory
|defend territory
|territorial behavior
Themes
nature
|biology
|animals
Examples
- Male lions mark their territory with scent.
- Birds often sing to defend their territory.
- The cat sprayed the fence to mark its territory.
Learner examples
- The dog barks to protect its territory.
- A tiger has a big territory.
- Birds sing to keep other birds out of their territory.
Noun
B2
entity
4
subject area or field
A subject or type of work someone knows well.
Common mistake:
Learners may interpret this meaning literally as land instead of an abstract area of activity.
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.)
Collocations
new territory
|unknown territory
|familiar territory
Themes
education
|work
Examples
- This project takes us into new territory for our company.
- Physics is not my territory; I'm more into chemistry.
- Writing fiction was unfamiliar territory for her.
Learner examples
- This job is new territory for me.
- Cooking is his special territory.
- Math is not my territory.
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.