three-mile limit

American  

[three-mahyl lim-it] / ˈθriˌmaɪl ˈlɪm ɪt /

noun

International Law.

1. the limit of the territorial waters of 3 miles (4.8 km), which is included within the jurisdiction of the state or nation possessing the coast.

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three-mile limit British  

noun

1. international law the range of a nation's territorial waters, extending to three nautical miles from shore

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Etymology

Origin of three-mile limit

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

If the field stretches beyond the three-mile limit of state waters, Caelus would need a federal lease to tap those reserves.

From Washington Post • Nov. 18, 2016

Delaware, Maine, New Jersey, New York and Virginia are also eager to secure permits and to lease blocks from the federal government in waters beyond the three-mile limit of state control.

From New York Times • Apr. 3, 2010

Then comes the first word from headquarters: "Captain, they want to know the feasibility of intercepting him before he reaches the three-mile limit."

From Time Magazine Archive

Orally amplifying his proclamation, he explained that belligerent submarines may not come within the traditional three-mile limit of U. S. coasts.

From Time Magazine Archive

I admit you saved me from the police last night—although undoubtedly they may be on board the ship now, for we have not passed the three-mile limit yet.

From The Ghost Breaker A Novel Based Upon the Play by Goddard, Charles