territorial waters

plural noun

: the waters under the sovereign jurisdiction of a nation or state including both marginal sea and inland waters

Examples of territorial waters in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Tehran is demanding that all ships use a northern route through its territorial waters. — Brian Sullivan,spencer Kimball, CNBC, 13 July 2026 The Southern Corridor, through Omani territorial waters, would allow free navigation under pre-war conditions. — CNN Money, 12 July 2026 The narrow strait sits in both Iran’s and Oman’s territorial waters but long has been considered an international waterway. — Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026 Two officials from the region told CBS News that Iranian officials will travel to Oman for talks on Saturday regarding the Strait of Hormuz and the dispute over the lanes for shipping traffic in their respective territorial waters. — Khaled Wassef, CBS News, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for territorial waters

Word History

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of territorial waters was in 1841

Rhymes for territorial waters

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Browse Nearby Words

Territorial style
territorial waters
Territorian
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Cite this Entry

“Territorial waters.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/territorial%20waters. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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Legal Definition

territorial waters

noun plural
territorial wa·​ters
: the waters under the sovereign jurisdiction of a nation or state including both marginal sea and inland waters

More from Merriam-Webster on territorial waters

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about territorial waters

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