Territory

Definition

Territory refers to an area of land under the jurisdiction of a ruler or state.

Parts of Speech

• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈtɛrɪˌtɔri/
• Respelling: TER-ih-tor-ee (with "TER" as in "terrible," "ih" as in "bit," "tor" as in "tore," and "ee" as in "see")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈtɛrɪtəri/
• Respelling: TER-ih-tuh-ree (similar to American English, with "TER" as in "terrible," "ih" as in "bit," "tuh" as a softer version of "tor," and "ree" like in "see")

In both dialects, "territory" is pronounced with the primary stress on the first syllable, "TER." The main differences between American and British pronunciations lie in the treatment of the third syllable and the pronunciation of the final "r" sound, which is more pronounced in American English.

Etymology

The word "territory" is derived from the Latin word territorium, which itself is based on terra, meaning 'land' or 'earth'.

Derivatives

• Territorial (adjective)
• Territorially (adverb)
• Territoriality (noun)
• Territorialize (verb)
• Territorialization (noun)

Synonyms

• Region
• Area
• Zone

Antonyms

None

Usage

• Territory is used to refer to geographic areas under a specific jurisdiction or control.
• It can also be used more broadly to refer to areas of knowledge or expertise.

Related Terms

• Territorial
• Jurisdiction
• Sovereignty

Detailed Definition

Noun

• Geographic Area: An area of land under the jurisdiction of a ruler or state.
• Example: The country has been fighting to reclaim its lost territory for years.

• Area of Knowledge or Expertise: A field or domain in which one has knowledge or expertise.
• Example: When it comes to computer programming, you are now entering my territory.

• Zoological/Biological: In animal behavior, a territory is a region defended by an individual or group against others of the same species.
• Example: The lion marked his territory to keep rivals away.