territoriality

American  

[ter-i-tawr-ee-al-i-tee, -tohr-] / ˌtɛr ɪˌtɔr iˈæl ɪ ti, -ˌtoʊr- /

noun

1. territorial quality, condition, or status.

2. the behavior of an animal in defining and defending its territory.

3. attachment to or protection of a territory or domain.

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territoriality British  

/ ˌtɛrɪˌtɔːrɪˈælɪtɪ /

noun

1. the state or rank of being a territory

2. the behaviour shown by an animal when establishing and defending its territory

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territoriality Scientific  

/ tĕr′ĭ-tôr′ē-ăl′ĭ-tē /

1. A behavior pattern in animals consisting of the occupation and defense of a territory.

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Other Word Forms

• nonterritoriality noun

Etymology

Origin of territoriality

First recorded in 1890–95; territorial + -ity

Example Sentences

The branches of the sport are intertwined nationally despite the territoriality that exists between racing organizations.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 2, 2025

The book's final chapter, which aims to "consider man in the free spirit of natural history, as though we were zoologists from another planet," touches on the evolutionary origins of language, territoriality, and other behaviors.

From Salon • Feb. 22, 2022

The other side of the situation sensed the same territoriality.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 1, 2021

But ego, territoriality and philosophical differences resulted in paralysis — and ultimately, the material suggests, lead to an inability to prevent 9/11.

From Washington Post • Feb. 28, 2018

Capping the brainstem is the R-complex, the seat of aggression, ritual, territoriality and social hierarchy, which evolved hundreds of millions of years ago in our reptilian ancestors.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan