■ noun ( plural territories )
1》 an area under the jurisdiction of a ruler or state.
2》 ( Territory ) (especially in the US, Canada, or Australia) an organized division of a country not having the full rights of a state.
3》 Zoology an area defended by an animal against others of the same sex or species.
4》 an area defended by a team or player in a game or sport.
5》 an area in which one has certain rights or responsibilities.
6》 an area of knowledge or experience.
7》 land with a specified characteristic: woodland ~.
Origin
ME: from L. territorium , from terra 'land'.