territory Definition
- 1an area of land under the jurisdiction of a ruler or state
- 2an area defended by an animal or group of animals against others of the same sex or species
- 3a subject or activity one knows about or has control over
Using territory: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "territory" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The country's northern territory is rich in natural resources.
Example
The cat marked its territory by spraying urine on the furniture.
Example
She is an expert in the territory of human rights law.
Example
The company expanded its territory by acquiring a smaller competitor.
Example
The wolf pack fiercely defends its territory from other packs.
territory Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using territory
Example
The new CEO quickly marked out her territory by making changes to the company's structure.
to do something that is not acceptable or that goes beyond what is allowed
Example
The politician went over the line when he made derogatory comments about his opponent's family.
know one's way around (a particular territory)
to be familiar with a particular area or subject
Example
As a seasoned traveler, she knew her way around the city's tourist hotspots.
Phrases with territory
an area or subject that is unfamiliar or unexplored
Example
I've never worked with this software before, so it's uncharted territory for me.
Example
The United Nations condemned the occupation of Palestinian territories by Israeli forces.
Example
The basketball team had the advantage of playing on their home territory.
Origins of territory
from Latin 'terra', meaning 'earth'
Summary: territory in Brief
The term 'territory' [ˈterətɔːri] refers to an area of land under the jurisdiction of a ruler or state, or an area defended by an animal or group of animals. It can also refer to a subject or activity one knows about or has control over. Examples include 'The country's northern territory is rich in natural resources,' and 'The wolf pack fiercely defends its territory from other packs.' Idioms like 'mark (out) one's territory' denote asserting ownership or dominance, while 'know one's way around (a particular territory)' implies familiarity.