territorial

Language: en

🇬🇧 /ˌtɛrɪˈtɔːrɪəl/ 🇺🇸 /ˌtɛrɪˈtɔriːəl/

📖 Definitions

  1. adjective
    Relating to or connected with the ownership or defense of a particular area of land or territory.; Relating to or characteristic of a territory as a political or administrative division.; Inclined to defend or assert one's own area, possessions, or rights aggressively; possessive.; Relating to the behavior of animals that defend a specific area against others of the same species.; Of or relating to a military force organized for home defense within a specific region, especially in the United Kingdom.
  2. noun
    A member of a territorial military force, especially the Territorial Army in the United Kingdom.
  3. adjective
    Limited to or restricted to a particular area or region; local.

🔗 Details

Word forms

countable Plural: territorials Comparative: more territorial Superlative: most territorial

Collocations

territorial watersterritorial disputeterritorial integrityterritorial claimterritorial behaviorterritorial aggression

Derivatives

territoryterritorialityterritoriallyterritorialism

Synonyms

possessiveprotectiveproprietarydefensive

Commonly confused

territory
EN: 'Territory' is the noun referring to the land or area itself; 'territorial' is the adjective describing something related to or characteristic of territory.
terrestrial
EN: 'Terrestrial' means relating to land (as opposed to water or air); 'territorial' means relating to ownership or defense of an area.

Spelling tips

EN: Remember the double 'r' in 'territorial' (from 'territory'). Do not confuse with 'terrestrial'.

💬 Examples

  1. The two countries have been engaged in a territorial dispute for decades.

  2. The territorial government passed new regulations on land use.

  3. He became very territorial when someone sat at his usual desk.

  4. Male lions are highly territorial and will fight to protect their pride's range.

  5. He served in the Territorial Army before being called up for active duty.

  6. As a territorial, he trained on weekends while maintaining his civilian career.

  7. The species has a very limited territorial range, found only in this valley.