What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
province
Example
Ontario is a province in Canada. [province: noun]
Example
The provincial government is responsible for healthcare and education. [provincial: adjective]
territory
Example
The Northwest Territories is a territory in Canada. [territory: noun]
Example
The territory's government is responsible for natural resources and land management. [territorial: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Province is more commonly used than territory in everyday language, especially in countries like Canada where provinces are more common. However, territory is still used in some countries like Australia and the United States.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between province and territory?
Both province and territory are formal words that are typically used in official or academic contexts. However, province may be slightly more formal due to its more established usage and longer history.