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
Tomohiko Taniguchi, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2024
The Pentagon is pushing urgent development of inexpensive, expendable drones as a deterrent against China acting on its territorial claim on Taiwan.
—Frank Bajak, Quartz, 12 Apr. 2024
The history of the region is complicated, and territorial claims in the ancient city are no less so.
—Samantha Murphy Kelly, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
Lake privately has reached out to Arizona lawmakers urging them to repeal the territorial ban.
—Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
Since then, the Philippines' more China-friendly policies under the previous government have done an about-face under the country's current President Marcos, who has made defending Manila's territorial claims of the Spratly Islands a priority.
—Emily Feng, NPR, 11 Apr. 2024
How Wisconsin reacted to losing the UP James Duane Doty, Wisconsin's territorial governor from 1841-'44, blasted Congress for approving Michigan's annexation of the U.P. and allowing Illinois to encroach north.
—Chris Foran, Journal Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2024
The footage shows the territorial damselfish approaching the octopus, who attempts to camouflage with his surroundings by changing the appearance of his skin to match the ocean floor.
—Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
Tsai and her government reject China’s territorial claims, saying only the island’s people can decide their future.
—Reuters, NBC News, 10 Apr. 2024
N. Gregory Mankiw, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2017
Adjective
Historical rivals since the 1890s, the two countries still had many unresolved differences, such as their opposing territorial claims over islands in the East China Sea.
—Tomohiko Taniguchi, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2024
The Pentagon is pushing urgent development of inexpensive, expendable drones as a deterrent against China acting on its territorial claim on Taiwan.
—Frank Bajak, Quartz, 12 Apr. 2024
The history of the region is complicated, and territorial claims in the ancient city are no less so.
—Samantha Murphy Kelly, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
Lake privately has reached out to Arizona lawmakers urging them to repeal the territorial ban.
—Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
Since then, the Philippines' more China-friendly policies under the previous government have done an about-face under the country's current President Marcos, who has made defending Manila's territorial claims of the Spratly Islands a priority.
—Emily Feng, NPR, 11 Apr. 2024
How Wisconsin reacted to losing the UP James Duane Doty, Wisconsin's territorial governor from 1841-'44, blasted Congress for approving Michigan's annexation of the U.P. and allowing Illinois to encroach north.
—Chris Foran, Journal Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2024
The footage shows the territorial damselfish approaching the octopus, who attempts to camouflage with his surroundings by changing the appearance of his skin to match the ocean floor.
—Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
Tsai and her government reject China’s territorial claims, saying only the island’s people can decide their future.
—Reuters, NBC News, 10 Apr. 2024
Noun
TERRITORIAL Most nations aim to impose taxes on economic activity that takes place within their borders.
—N. Gregory Mankiw, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2017
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 25 Apr. 2024.
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