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
Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Part of the Wu kingdom, Shenduntou’s bronze industry was likely responsible (along with famed military advisor Sun Tsu) for the Wu rulers’ successful territorial expansions in the 6th century BC.
—Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 8 Apr. 2026
Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
After an initial round of expansion following Russia’s wider invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Ukrainian ground forces—the army, air assault forces, marine corps, national guard and territorials—could deploy a hundred brigades, each with around 2,000 people.
—David Axe, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for territorial
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Adjective
García also warned that the United States may be underestimating the territorial complexity of the mining zones.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Part of the Wu kingdom, Shenduntou’s bronze industry was likely responsible (along with famed military advisor Sun Tsu) for the Wu rulers’ successful territorial expansions in the 6th century BC.
—Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 8 Apr. 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
After an initial round of expansion following Russia’s wider invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Ukrainian ground forces—the army, air assault forces, marine corps, national guard and territorials—could deploy a hundred brigades, each with around 2,000 people.
—David Axe, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for territorial
Cite this Entry
“Territorial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/territorial. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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