territorial
[ter-i-tawr-ee-uh l, -tohr-]
- of or relating to territory or land.
- of, pertaining to, associated with, or restricted to a particular territory or district; local.
- pertaining or belonging to the territory of a state or ruler.
- (of an animal) characterized by territoriality; defending an area against intruders, especially of the same species.
- (often initial capital letter) of or relating to a territory of the U.S.
- (initial capital letter) Military. organized on a local basis for home defense: the British Territorial Army.
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- (initial capital letter) a member of the British Territorial Army.
- a soldier in a territorial army.
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Origin of territorial
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for territorial
Contemporary Examples
Tribal, sectarian and territorial conflicts made it a constantly turbulent place, despite the hammer of Ottoman rule.
India is a fellow democracy, and, like Japan, feels acutely vulnerable to Chinese territorial and economic expansionism.
Both countries have supported the territorial integrity of Ukraine without giving Moscow a reason to justify more aggression.
Perhaps he now reckons that once again there will be no serious consequences for his territorial lust.
South Sudan's government has been engaged in a territorial struggle against an armed rebellion for weeks.
Government Ceasefire Is First Step Towards Peace in South SudanJohn Prendergast, Akshaya Kumar
January 24, 2014
Historical Examples
But this was by no means the limit to territorial acquisition.
The Nation in a NutshellGeorge Makepeace Towle
Four of the Territorial gunners were wounded by the Turkish batteries.
The sentimental song was typical of the Territorial's taste.
With Manchesters in the EastGerald B. Hurst
Three criticisms of the Territorial system have been made ever since its adoption in 1907.
With Manchesters in the EastGerald B. Hurst
Much has been written about Germany's territorial ambitions.
territorial
- of or relating to a territory or territories
- restricted to or owned by a particular territorythe Indian territorial waters
- local or regional
- pertaining to a territorial army, providing a reserve of trained men for use in emergency
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Territorial
- a member of a territorial army, esp the British Army's Territorial and Volunteer Reserve
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for territorial
adj.
1768, from Late Latin territorialis, from territorium (see territory). In reference to British regiments, from 1881. Territorial army "British home defense" is from 1908. Territorial waters is from 1841; territorial imperative "animal need to claim and defend territory" is from 1966.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper