territorial

1 of 2

adjective

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

3

a

: nearby, local

b

: serving outlying areas : regional

territorially

ˌter-ə-ˈtȯr-ē-ə-lē 

adverb

territorial

2 of 2

noun

: a member of a territorial military unit

Examples of territorial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Moreover, the next stage of negotiations will have to confront more long-standing territorial and political disputes that have bedeviled regional peace. — Anthony Wanis-St John, The Conversation, 10 July 2026

Nations like Mongolia, Bhutan, and Nepal are acutely aware of the danger, fearing that not capitulating on the Dalai Lama succession issue could open the door to broader Chinese territorial claims. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 July 2026

Noun

Arranging their first meeting indoors could make your older dog territorial, and scare your puppy off. — Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025

Between them, the army, air assault forces, marine corps, territorials and national guard have formed scores of new brigades, each with up to 2,000 troops and hundreds of vehicles. — David Axe, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1625, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Noun

1907, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing territorial

• inter-territorial
• territorial court
• territorial dispute
• territorial waters

Rhymes for territorial

• arboreal
• armorial
• authorial
• factorial
• manorial
• memorial
• pictorial
• sartorial
• sectorial
• tutorial
• vectorial
• ambassadorial

Kids Definition

territorial

adjective

ter·​ri·​to·​ri·​al

ˌter-ə-ˈtōr-ē-əl, 

-ˈtȯr-

1

: of or relating to a territory

territorial claims

2

: organized chiefly for territorial defense

a territorial army

3

: showing or involving territoriality

territorial birds

territorial noun

territorially

-ē-ə-lē

adverb