territorial waters

American  

[ter-i-tawr-ee-uhl waw-terz, wot-erz] / ˈtɛr ɪˌtɔr i əl ˈwɔ tərz, ˈwɒt ərz /

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).

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territorial waters British  

plural noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of territorial waters

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

territorial waters

Instead, Oman has been operating a channel through the strategic waterway that runs through its territorial waters and skirts the lanes managed by Tehran.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026

It did not have such powers before the war and while the strait comprises Omani and Iranian territorial waters, under international law the two cannot generally block passage or charge tolls.

From Barron's ● Jul. 10, 2026

The strait comprises Omani and Iranian territorial waters, but under customary international law the two cannot generally block passage or charge tolls.

From Barron's ● Jun. 29, 2026

BBC Verify understands the UK's interception policy applies to both the UK's territorial waters and the EEZ.

From BBC ● May 12, 2026

On the high seas outside territorial waters the right of fishery is now recognized as common to all nations.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 4 "Finland" to "Fleury, Andre" by Various