DictionaryAI

territory

noun
TE-ri-tor-ee/ˈtɛɹɪˌtɔɹi/UKTE-ri-tree/ˈtɛɹɪt(ə)ɹi/

Pluralterritories

8 meanings of territory

Practice

  1. 1
    ruled landnouncountable or uncountable
    Land that one government or ruler controls.

    After the war, the army took control of the territory along the river.

    Soldiers guarded the border of the occupied territory.

    UsageOften no a: an army can gain or lose territory.

    Similardomain, jurisdiction

    Note
  2. 2
    large regionnouncountable or uncountable
    A large piece of land, such as a region, country, or area.

    They traveled across miles of empty territory to reach the coast.

    The explorers mapped unknown territory beyond the river.

    UsageSay territory for land in general (miles of empty territory) and a territory for one area.

    Similarland, country, region, area, terrain

  3. 3
    field of knowledgenoununcountable
    A subject, area of knowledge, or kind of experience.

    Like stepping into a room you have never been in before.

    Advanced math is unfamiliar territory for most students.

    Cooking for a crowd was new territory for him.

    UsageOften new territory or unfamiliar territory: something you have not done before.

    Similarground, terrain, area, field, domain

    Note
  4. 4
    nouncountable
    A part of Canada or Australia that has fewer powers than a province or state.

    Nunavut became a separate territory in 1999.

    Yukon is a territory in the far north of Canada, not a province.

    Note
  5. 5
    space you controlnouncountable or uncountable
    A space, real or online, that someone owns or controls.

    The hackers moved into territory the company thought was secure.

    My bedroom is my territory, so knock before you come in.

    Similarturf, preserve

    Note
  6. 6
    animal's areanouncountable
    An area that an animal keeps and defends against others of its kind.

    The robin chased a rival out of its territory.

    Wolves mark the edges of their territory with scent.

    Note
  7. 7
    sales areanouncountable
    The area where a person or company has the job or the right to do business.

    The new salesman was given the northern territory.

    Her territory covers three states.

    UsageOften sales territory: the area a salesperson covers.

    Similarpatch

    Note
  8. 8
    noununcountable
    The part of a field or board that a player or team controls.

    Like your own side of a soccer field.

    The team kept the ball in enemy territory for most of the half.

    He pinned his opponent deep in his own territory.

    UsageOften no a: a team plays in enemy territory.

    Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of territory apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

It comes from Latin "territorium", which came into English through Middle English "territorie".

Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 1 fact

  • English territory comes from Latin territorium through Middle English territorie. en.wiktionary.org