Territory is land which is controlled by a particular country or ruler.
The government denies that any of its territory is under rebel control.
...Russian territory.
Synonyms: district, area, land, region More Synonyms of territory
2. countable noun
A territory is a country or region that is controlled by another country.
They just want to return to their families in the occupied territories.
He toured some of the disputed territories now under U.N. control.
3. uncountable noun
You can use territory to refer to an area of knowledge or experience.
Following the futuristic The Handmaid's Tale, her next novel returned to more familiarterritory.
This is difficult territory because it involves uncomfortable issues.
4. virgin territory
5. variable noun
An animal's territory is an area which it regards as its own and which it defends when other animals try to enter it.
The territory of a cat only remains fixed for as long as the cat dominates the area.
6. uncountable noun [usually adjective NOUN]
Territory is land with a particular character.
...mountainous territory.
...a vast and uninhabited territory.
7.
See come with the territory
territory in British English
(ˈtɛrɪtərɪ, -trɪ)
nounWord forms: plural-ries
1.
any tract of land; district
2.
the geographical domain under the jurisdiction of a political unit, esp of a sovereign state
3.
the district for which an agent, etc is responsible
a salesman's territory
4.
an area inhabited and defended by an individual animal or a breeding group of animals
5.
an area of knowledge
science isn't my territory
6.
(in football, hockey, etc) the area defended by a team
7. (often capital)
a region of a country, esp of a federal state, that enjoys less autonomy and a lower status than most constituent parts of the state
8. (often capital)
a protectorate or other dependency of a country
Word origin
C15: from Latin territōrium land surrounding a town, from terra land
Territory in British English
(ˈtɛrɪtərɪ, -trɪ)
noun
the Territory
territory in American English
(ˈtɛrəˌtɔri)
nounWord forms: pluralˈterriˌtories
1.
the land and waters under the jurisdiction of a nation, state, ruler, etc.
2.
a part of a country or empire that does not have the full status of a principal division
; specif.,
a. US; [T-]; Obsolete
a part of the U.S. having its own legislature but without the status of a state and under the administration of an appointed governor
b. [T-]
a similar region, as in Canada or Australia, without the status of a province or state
see also trust territory
3.
any large tract of land; region; district
4. US
an assigned area, as of a traveling salesman or franchised dealer
5.
any specified area or region
foul territory in a ballpark
6.
a sphere or province of action, existence, thought, etc.
7. Ethology
the particular area occupied by an animal or group of animals; esp., the specific area appropriated by an animal or pair of animals, usually for breeding, nesting, and foraging purposes, and forcibly defended against by any intruders
8. American Football and Hockey Etc
that half of the playing area defended by a specified team
Word origin
ME < L territorium < terra, terra
More idioms containing
territory
something goes with the territory
Examples of 'territory' in a sentence
territory
He came of age in an occupied territory.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But this is a whole new territory for me with ballroom.
The Sun (2016)
Back on familiar territory to face his old club and the team he regards as the best in the world.
The Sun (2016)
You are ready to free up time for yourself to take a learning plan forward and explore new love territory.
The Sun (2016)
This was meant to be a showcase on new territory at Coventry.
The Sun (2016)
It shows how company profits growth has ground to a halt across the world and entered negative territory in Europe.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This is familiar territory for Sewell.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It is familiar territory for the Riverside Stadium.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The yield on its two-year debt entered negative territory just over a year ago and was still negative on Friday.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We were taught a few lessons about intelligent use of territory also.
The Sun (2015)
Recruitment by factories was only just in positive territory.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
But both areas lost territory and both increasingly felt the threat of further takeovers.
Stearns, Peter N. World History: Patterns of Change and Continuity (1995)
This terror group craves territory and infrastructure.
The Sun (2015)
This is one that has returned to the territory where it will nest in the summer.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The band are entering new territory as they plan their first live tour as a trio.
The Sun (2014)
This is new territory for us all.
The Sun (2009)
They were deep in enemy territory now.
Iain Gale Man of Honour (2007)
The task of charting out new territory involves not just learning how to survey and make sense of what was previously unknown.
Kantrow, Alan M. The Constraints of Corporate Tradition (1987)
The insurgents opened up a third front next to Russia but miles away from previous rebel territory.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Russia loses a vast swathe of territory to Germany.
The Sun (2014)
They controlled territory and Gloucester hardly escaped from being pinned in their own half.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The more he sees of the district, the more he comes to understand it as an occupied territory.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
In their eyes he stood for political aims that they regarded as a threat to their control over the key political areas in the territory.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Bad as life is in government territory, many will admit the rebel zone suffers the brunt of the violence.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This is familiar territory for Rose.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Initially, they sang only at dawn and dusk and spent much time squabbling while establishing territories at either end of our garden.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
A historic referendum announced yesterday will allow them to have their say on the disputed territory's future.
The Sun (2012)
If it was, then there was a right of appeal if it was not in accordance with the law to specify that country or territory.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The earth has been shaken and has trembled, because the Lord has caused his land to lose territory.
Christianity Today (2000)
The only way in which he could retain that territory at the end of the war was if'friendly' governments were establishedthere.
The Times Literary Supplement (2013)
In other languages
territory
British English: territory /ˈtɛrɪtərɪ; -trɪ/ NOUN
Territory is land which is controlled by a particular country or ruler.
The government denies that any of its territory is under rebel control.
American English: territory
Arabic: إِقْلِيم
Brazilian Portuguese: território
Chinese: 领土
Croatian: teritorija
Czech: území
Danish: territorium
Dutch: territorium
European Spanish: territorio
Finnish: alue maa-alue
French: territoire
German: Gebiet
Greek: επικράτεια
Italian: territorio
Japanese: 地域
Korean: 영토
Norwegian: territorium
Polish: terytorium
European Portuguese: território
Romanian: teritoriu
Russian: территория
Latin American Spanish: territorio
Swedish: territorium
Thai: อาณาเขต
Turkish: bölge arazi
Ukrainian: територія
Vietnamese: lãnh thổ
All related terms of 'territory'
the Territory
an administrative division of N central Australia , on the Timor and Arafura Seas: the Arunta Desert lies in the east, the Macdonnell Ranges in the south, and Arnhem Land in the north (containing Australia's largest Aboriginal reservation ); the Ashmore and Cartier Islands constitute a separate Australian External Territory . Capital: Darwin . Pop: 233 300 (2012 est). Area: 1 347 525 sq km (520 280 sq miles)
home territory
→ to be on your home territory
Swazi Territory
(formerly) a Bantu homeland in South Africa ; abolished in 1994. Capital: Schoemansdal ( now KaMatsamo)
trust territory
a territory placed under the administrative authority of a country by the United Nations
union territory
one of the 6 administrative territories that, with 28 states , make up the Republic of India
Yukon Territory
a territory of NW Canada, on the Beaufort Sea, between the Northwest Territories and Alaska : arctic and mountainous , reaching 5959 m (19 550 ft) at Mount Logan , Canada's highest peak ; mineral resources . Capital: Whitehorse . Pop: 33 897 (2011). Area: 536 327 sq km (207 076 sq miles)
Indian Territory
the territory established in the early 19th century in present-day Oklahoma , where Native Americans were forced to settle by the US government. The last remnant was integrated into the new state of Oklahoma in 1907
mandated territory
an official or authoritative instruction or command
Northern Territory
an administrative division of N central Australia , on the Timor and Arafura Seas: the Arunta Desert lies in the east, the Macdonnell Ranges in the south, and Arnhem Land in the north (containing Australia's largest Aboriginal reservation ); the Ashmore and Cartier Islands constitute a separate Australian External Territory . Capital: Darwin . Pop: 233 300 (2012 est). Area: 1 347 525 sq km (520 280 sq miles)
virgin territory
If you say that a situation is virgin territory , you mean that you have no experience of it and it is completely new for you.
Northwest Territory
region north of the Ohio River, between Pa . & the Mississippi (established 1787): it now forms Ohio, Ind., Ill ., Mich., Wis ., & part of Minn.
Territory of Papua
a former territory of Australia , consisting of SE New Guinea and adjacent islands: now part of Papua New Guinea
UK Overseas Territory
any of the territories that are governed by the UK but lie outside the British Isles ; many were formerly British crown colonies : includes Bermuda , Falkland Islands, and Montserrat
Australian Capital Territory
a territory of SE Australia , within New South Wales : consists of two exclaves , one containing Canberra , the capital of Australia, and one at Jervis Bay (the latter sometimes regarded as a separate entity ). Pop: 373 100 (2012 est)
British Antarctic Territory
a UK Overseas Territory in the S Atlantic ( claims are suspended under the Antarctic Treaty ): created in 1962 and consisting of the South Shetland Islands , the South Orkney Islands, and Graham Land; formerly part of the Falkland Islands Dependencies
come with the territory
If you say that something comes with the territory , you mean that you accept it as a natural result of the situation you are in.
Federal Capital Territory
an administrative division of Nigeria , in the centre. Capital: Abuja ( also national capital). Pop: 1 405 201 (2006). Area: 7315 sq km (2824 sq miles)
Free Territory of Trieste
a former territory on the N Adriatic : established by the UN in 1947; most of the N part passed to Italy and the remainder to Yugoslavia in 1954
Kwantung Leased Territory
a strategic territory of NE China, at the S tip of the Liaodong Peninsula of Manchuria : leased forcibly by Russia in 1898; taken over by Japan in 1905; occupied by the Soviet Union in 1945 and subsequently returned to China on the condition of shared administration ; made part of Liaoning province by China in 1954. Area: about 3400 sq km (1300 sq miles)
Yukon
a territory of NW Canada , on the Beaufort Sea, between the Northwest Territories and Alaska : arctic and mountainous , reaching 5959 m (19 550 ft) at Mount Logan , Canada's highest peak ; mineral resources . Capital: Whitehorse . Pop: 33 897 (2011). Area: 536 327 sq km (207 076 sq miles)
Australian Antarctic Territory
the area of Antarctica , other than Ad é lie Land , that is claimed by Australia (claims are suspended under the Antarctic Treaty ), lying south of latitude 60°S and between longitudes 45° E and 160°E
British Indian Ocean Territory
a UK Overseas Territory in the Indian Ocean : consists of the Chagos Archipelago (formerly a dependency of, and later claimed by, Mauritius ) and formerly included (until 1976) Aldabra , Farquhar , and Des Roches, now administratively part of the Seychelles. Diego Garcia is an important US naval base
the Free Territory of Trieste
a former territory on the N Adriatic : established by the UN in 1947; most of the N part passed to Italy and the remainder to Yugoslavia in 1954
Trust Territory of New Guinea
(until 1975) an administrative division of the former Territory of Papua and New Guinea , consisting of the NE part of the island of New Guinea together with the Bismarck Archipelago ; now part of Papua New Guinea
federal district
an area used as the seat of central government in a federal system
something goes with the territory
said to mean that something often occurs in a particular kind of situation or activity , and so you have to be prepared for it
to be on your home territory
to be in a situation in which one is at ease
United Kingdom Overseas Territory
any of the territories that are governed by the UK but lie outside the British Isles ; many were formerly British crown colonies : includes Bermuda , Falkland Islands, and Montserrat
Territory of the Afars and the Issas
a republic in E Africa, on the Gulf of Aden : a French overseas territory (1946–77); became independent in 1977; mainly desert . Official languages: Arabic and French; Somali and Afar are also spoken. Religion : Muslim majority . Currency : Djibouti franc . Capital: Djibouti. Pop: 956 985 (2017 est). Area: 23 200 sq km (8950 sq miles)
Djibouti
a republic in E Africa, on the Gulf of Aden : a French overseas territory (1946–77); became independent in 1977; mainly desert . Official languages: Arabic and French; Somali and Afar are also spoken . Religion : Muslim majority . Currency : Djibouti franc . Capital: Djibouti. Pop: 956 985 (2017 est). Area: 23 200 sq km (8950 sq miles)
Chinese translation of 'territory'
territory
(ˈtɛrɪtərɪ)
n(c/u)
(= land) 领(領)土 (lǐngtǔ)
(fig) 范(範)围(圍) (fànwéi)
(noun)
Definition
the geographical area under the control of a particular government
They deny that any of their territory is under rebel control.
Synonyms
district
I drove around the business district.
area
the large number of community groups in the area
land
The land I call my home
region
a remote mountain region
state
Leaders of the Southern States are meeting in Louisville.
country
This is some of the best walking country in the district.
sector
Officers were going to retake sectors of the city.
zone
The area has been declared a disaster zone.
province
the Algarve, Portugal's southernmost province
patch
the little vegetable patch in her backyard
turf (slang)
Their turf was Paris: its streets, theatres, homes and parks.
domain
This sort of information should be in the public domain.
terrain
an eight-hour drive on rough terrain
tract
A vast tract of land is ready for development.
bailiwick
subject word lists
See New Zealand Territories
Additional synonyms
in the sense of area
Definition
a section, part, or region
the large number of community groups in the area
Synonyms
region,
land,
quarter,
division,
sector,
district,
stretch,
territory,
zone,
plot,
province,
patch,
neighbourhood,
sphere,
turf (slang),
realm,
domain,
tract,
locality,
neck of the woods (informal)
in the sense of country
Definition
the territory of a nation or state
This is some of the best walking country in the district.
Synonyms
territory,
part,
land,
region,
terrain
in the sense of domain
Definition
a particular area of activity or interest
This sort of information should be in the public domain.
Synonyms
sphere,
area,
field,
concern,
scene (informal),
sector,
territory,
province,
arena,
realm
Synonyms of 'territory'
territory
Explore 'territory' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of land
Definition
a country, region, or area
The land I call my home
Synonyms
country,
nation,
region,
state,
district,
territory,
province,
kingdom,
realm,
tract,
motherland,
fatherland,
l&
in the sense of patch
Definition
a small plot of land
the little vegetable patch in her backyard
Synonyms
plot,
area,
ground,
land,
tract
in the sense of province
Definition
a territory governed as a unit of a country or empire
the Algarve, Portugal's southernmost province
Synonyms
region,
section,
county,
district,
territory,
zone,
patch,
colony,
domain,
dependency,
tract
in the sense of region
Definition
an area considered as a unit for geographical or social reasons
a remote mountain region
Synonyms
area,
country,
place,
part,
land,
quarter,
division,
section,
sector,
district,
territory,
zone,
province,
patch,
turf (slang),
tract,
expanse,
locality
in the sense of sector
Definition
a portion into which an area is divided for military operations
Officers were going to retake sectors of the city.
Synonyms
area,
part,
region,
district,
zone,
quarter,
belt,
neighbourhood,
tract
in the sense of state
Definition
one of a number of areas or communities having their own governments and forming a federation under a sovereign government, such as in the US or Australia
Leaders of the Southern States are meeting in Louisville.
Synonyms
province,
region,
district,
area,
territory,
federal state
in the sense of terrain
Definition
an area of ground, esp. with reference to its physical character
an eight-hour drive on rough terrain
Synonyms
ground,
country,
land,
landscape,
topography,
going
in the sense of tract
Definition
a large area, esp. of land
A vast tract of land is ready for development.
Synonyms
area,
lot,
region,
estate (British),
district,
stretch,
quarter,
territory,
extent,
zone,
plot,
expanse
in the sense of turf
Definition
a person's area of knowledge or influence
Their turf was Paris: its streets, theatres, homes and parks.
Synonyms
area or sphere of influence,
territory,
province,
preserve,
patch (British, informal),
domain,
manor (British, informal),
home ground,
stamping ground,
bailiwick (informal)
in the sense of zone
Definition
a region, area, or section characterized by some distinctive feature or quality