ter·ri·to·ri·al
ˌter-ə-ˈtȯr-ē-əl 
1
a
: of or relating to a territory
territorial government
b
: of or relating to or organized chiefly for home defense
c
: of or relating to private property
2
a
: exhibiting or involving territoriality
territorial birds
b
: of or relating to an assigned or preempted area
territorial commanders
: a member of a territorial military unit
Examples of territorial in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2024
In April, the four nations conducted joint maritime patrols within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone against the backdrop of ongoing tensions between Manila and Beijing over territorial claims in the South China Sea.
—Peter Martin and Ben Westcott / Bloomberg, TIME, 3 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for territorial 
Adjective
The supporting cast over the years has run to Marineland (now closed), aggressively territorial surfer gangs, feral peacocks, and the inevitable golf courses, one of them Donald Trump’s.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2024
In April, the four nations conducted joint maritime patrols within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone against the backdrop of ongoing tensions between Manila and Beijing over territorial claims in the South China Sea.
—Peter Martin and Ben Westcott / Bloomberg, TIME, 3 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for territorial
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'territorial.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near territorial
Cite this Entry
“Territorial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/territorial. Accessed 9 May. 2024.
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