territory

noun ter·ri·to·ry \ ˈter-ə-ˌtȯr-ē \

Updated on: 9 May 2018

plural -ries

1 a : a geographic area belonging to or under the jurisdiction of a governmental authority

b : an administrative subdivision of a country

c : a part of the U.S. not included within any state but organized with a separate legislature

d : a geographic area (such as a colonial possession) dependent on an external government but having some degree of autonomy

2 a : an indeterminate geographic area

b : a field of knowledge or interest

3 a : an assigned area; especially : one in which a sales representative or distributor operates

b : an area often including a nesting or denning site and a variable foraging range that is occupied and defended by an animal or group of animals

— go with the territory or come with the territory

: to be a natural or unavoidable aspect or accompaniment of a particular situation, position, or field

criticism goes with the territory in this job

See territory defined for English-language learners

See territory defined for kids

Examples of territory in a Sentence

Those mountains are in Mexican territory.
Guam is a U.S. territory.
The birds are busy establishing territories and building nests.
Male cats spray to mark territory.
The goal of the expedition is to map unexplored territory.

Recent Examples of territory from the Web

The market was one of fifty markets throughout AgSouth’s territory in Georgia and South Carolina to receive a portion of $25,000 in total grant funds.

— karen huppertz, ajc, "Norcross community market receives grant from AgSouth farm credit," 4 May 2018
An overt shooting war between Israel and Iran, even if it's confined to Syrian territory, would be Moscow's worst nightmare.

— fred weir, The Christian Science Monitor, "As Israel-Iran rivalry burns, Russia's Tehran ties may get singed," 4 May 2018
At the moment, Kelly’s company, perhaps more than any other, seems to be willing to enter uncertain legal territory.

— rachel aviv, The New Yorker, "The Digital Vigilantes Who Hack Back," 30 Apr. 2018
Overcoming challenges like that comes with the territory, especially for a firm like iGroup Design, which for this project served as the lead architect and handled interior design, master planning and procurement.

— michael james rocha, sandiegouniontribune.com, "By design, Viejas' new hotel offers a calming escape from the busy casino floor," 29 Apr. 2018
The government intends to open an additional 1.25 percent of Ecuador’s territory for exploration this year, adding to the 5 percent already open to prospectors.

— Bloomberg.com, "Copper Rookie Looks to Glencore and Chinese for Downstream Dream," 26 Apr. 2018
Chinese immigrants moved to the territory of New Mexico in large numbers in the 1800s.

— julissa treviño, Smithsonian, "Monument Marks Little-Remembered Case That Set Precedent for Asian Americans to Testify in Court," 23 Apr. 2018
That comes with the territory of being a freshman on the same team with four-year starter Aidan Schneider, who completed his career in December as one of the best kickers in Oregon history.

— tyson alger, OregonLive.com, "As spring closes, kicker Adam Stack still has a chance to pull double duty for Oregon Ducks," 20 Apr. 2018
Transformation goes with the territory for supermodels, and yet Ambrosio’s quick change moments are especially interesting.

— janelle okwodu, Vogue, "#TBT Alessandra Ambrosio’s Best Runway Looks Go Far Beyond Victoria’s Secret," 12 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'territory.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of territory

Middle English, from Latin territorium, literally, land around a town, from terra land — more at ¹terrace

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

territory Synonyms

Synonyms

habitat, home, niche, range;

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

TERRITORY Defined for English Language Learners

territory

noun

: an area of land that belongs to or is controlled by a government
: one of the parts of the United States that is not a state
: any one of the large parts that some countries are divided into

TERRITORY Defined for Kids

territory

noun ter·ri·to·ry \ ˈter-ə-ˌtȯr-ē \

plural territories

1 : a geographical area belonging to or under the rule of a government

2 : a part of the United States not included within any state but organized with a separate governing body

3 : region 1, district

4 : an area that is occupied and defended by an animal or group of animals

Word Root of territory

The Latin word terra, meaning “earth,” “land,” or “ground,” gives us the root terr. Words from the Latin terra have something to do with the earth or land. A territory is an area of land ruled by a particular government. A terrace is a piece of land with a flat top. Anything terrestrial lives on land and not in water.

Law Dictionary

territory

noun ter·ri·to·ry \ ˈter-ə-ˌtōr-ē \

plural -ries

1 : a geographical area belonging to or under the jurisdiction of a governmental authority

2 : a political subdivision of a country

3 : a part of the U.S. (as Guam or the U.S. Virgin Islands) not included within any state but organized with a separate legislature — compare trust territory

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