territorial
relating to a country’s land or sea
About the land, sea, or air that is owned or controlled by a country or region.
territorial [noun]
- 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.
- 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.
protective of one’s own area
Wanting to keep and protect your own space, things, or relationships, and not share them with others.
[someone]/[something] is territorial (about [something])
- 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.
- 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.
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.
a Territorial; Territorials
- 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.
- 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.
- Base: territorial
territorial aggression
1aggression used to defend territory
Aggressive actions by an animal or person to protect their own space or area.
- 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
1defensive behavior toward one’s area
Behavior where an animal or person tries to protect their own area or things from others.
- The study examined territorial behavior in urban foxes.
- His territorial behavior at work made colleagues uncomfortable.
territorial claims
1assertions of land ownership
Statements or demands by a country or group that a certain land or sea area belongs to them.
- Several nations have made territorial claims in the region.
- They agreed to freeze new territorial claims while negotiations continue.
territorial dispute
1conflict over land ownership
A serious argument or conflict about who owns or controls a piece of land or sea.
- 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
1sea legally controlled by a state
The part of the sea near a country’s coast that is legally part of that country.
- The fishing boat was arrested for entering territorial waters without permission.
- Oil was found just outside the country’s territorial waters.
territorial integrity
1protection 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.
- 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.