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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
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea grants the right of innocent passage to traverse through territorial waters so long as the vessel does not compromise the safety of coastal countries.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 11 July 2024
Several countries in the region lay claim to some of the islands, rocks and territorial waters of the South China Sea, but China’s claims are the most sweeping by far.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Twin Cities, 6 July 2024
The nine-dash line Several countries in the region lay claim to some of the islands, rocks and territorial waters of the South China Sea, but China’s claims are the most sweeping by far.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, The Mercury News, 5 July 2024
Taiwanese legislator Chen Yu-jen, who represents Kinmen for Taiwan’s opposition Kuomintang party, said since then, fishermen in the islands had been careful not to cross into China’s territorial waters due to Chinese coast guard patrols.
—Eric Cheung, CNN, 3 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for territorial waters
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'territorial waters.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1841, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of territorial waters was
in 1841
Dictionary Entries Near territorial waters
Cite this Entry
“Territorial waters.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/territorial%20waters. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
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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