territorial waters
plural noun
the waters of a littoral state that are regarded as under the jurisdiction of the state: traditionally those waters within three miles (4.8 km) of the shore, but in the 20th century claims by coastal nations have extended to 12 or even 200 miles (19.3 or 321.8 km).
Words nearby territorial waters
terrine, territorial, territorial army, territorial court, territorial matrix, territorial waters, territorialism, territoriality, territorialize, territorian, territory
Compare high sea(def 1).
Origin of territorial waters
First recorded in 1870–75
Also called marine belt.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for territorial waters
territorial waters
pl n
the waters over which a nation exercises jurisdiction and control
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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