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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Blinken emphasized Washington’s desire for a peaceful resolution to the war that preserves Ukraine’s territorial integrity, a senior State Department official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive conversations. —Sammy Westfall, Washington Post, 2 Mar. 2023

In his conversation with Mr. Lavrov, Mr. Blinken reiterated the support of the U.S. and its allies for Ukraine in its fight to defend its territorial integrity against Russian aggression, a senior State Department official said. —Vivian Salama, WSJ, 2 Mar. 2023

China will lay out its position on resolving the Ukraine conflict in a document underscoring that countries’ territorial integrity must not be violated, said China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, who spoke on a panel at the conference on Saturday. —Drew Harwell, Washington Post, 18 Feb. 2023

The State Department also placed 531 members of the Russian military on a travel blacklist for actions that threaten or violate the sovereignty, territorial integrity or political independence of Ukraine. —Matthew Lee, ajc, 26 Jan. 2023

For me, as the President, just peace is no compromises as to the sovereignty, freedom, and territorial integrity of my country, the payback for all the damages inflicted by Russian aggression. —BostonGlobe.com, 21 Dec. 2022

First and foremost for guarantees for Ukraine for its territorial integrity and its long-term security. —Stacy Meichtry, WSJ, 21 Dec. 2022

Any restructuring of Russia’s territorial integrity, these voices claim, will result in failed states—and potentially worse. —Casey Michel, The New Republic, 16 Dec. 2022

With Russian troops occupying two separatist territories in Georgia, some opposition politicians have said that the newcomers should be made to explicitly express recognition of the country’s territorial integrity. —Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2022

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

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Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1625, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Noun

1907, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing territorial

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

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

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