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
Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
The century that preceded World War II saw over 150 successful territorial conquests; in the decades afterward, there have been fewer than ten.
—Oona A. Hathaway, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 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
Animal charity Blue Cross suggests that the best to place for their first meeting is outside, possibly in the garden or on a short walk close to home, to avoid any displays of territorial behavior.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
The century that preceded World War II saw over 150 successful territorial conquests; in the decades afterward, there have been fewer than ten.
—Oona A. Hathaway, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 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 30 Jun. 2025.
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