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
Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 30 Sep. 2025
This restriction hampered the MSS’ ability to reduce gangs’ territorial control as gunmen coordinated and simultaneously launched attacks in different corners of the country.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
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
As the diplomats in New York recognized, contrary to the claims of Smotrich—and some left-wing critics who have unwittingly accepted his framing—the presence of settlers is not an existential threat to the possibility of territorial compromise.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 30 Sep. 2025
This restriction hampered the MSS’ ability to reduce gangs’ territorial control as gunmen coordinated and simultaneously launched attacks in different corners of the country.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
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 3 Oct. 2025.
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