territorial waters

[ter-i-tawr-ee-uhl waw-terz, wot-erz]

plural noun

International Law.

1. the waters of a coastal state or nation that are regarded as under the jurisdiction of the state or nation, traditionally within 3 miles (4.8 km) of the shore, but with claims by certain coastal nations that have extended to 12 or even 200 miles (20 or 322 km).

territorial waters

plural noun

1. the waters over which a nation exercises jurisdiction and control

Word History and Origins

Origin of territorial waters¹

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

America’s right-wing has long hated everything that shimmers in the distance beyond the territorial waters of this country.

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But China more recently has escalated incursions in and around South Korean territorial waters.

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The South China Sea is one of the world’s most contested waterways, where Beijing’s claims for territorial waters clash with those of several Southeast Asian nations.

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Trinidad’s government has given the U.S. access in territorial waters for military maneuvers.

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His threat followed social-media posts by Petro, who accused the U.S. of killing a fisherman and violating the country’s sovereignty in territorial waters.

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