/ ˈterətri; NAmE -tɔːri/ noun ( pl. -ies )
1.
[ C , U ] land that is under the control of a particular country or ruler :
enemy / disputed / foreign territory
occupied territories
They have refused to allow UN troops to be stationed in their territory.
2.
[ C , U ] an area that one person, group, animal, etc. considers as their own and defends against others who try to enter it :
Mating blackbirds will defend their territory against intruders.
( figurative )
This type of work is uncharted territory for us.
( figurative )
Legal problems are Andy's territory (= he deals with them) .
3.
[ C , U ] an area of a town, country, etc. that sb has responsibility for in their work or another activity :
Our representatives cover a very large territory.
4.
[ U ] a particular type of land :
unexplored territory
5.
(also Territory ) [ C ] a country or an area that is part of the US, Australia or Canada but is not a state or province :
Guam and American Samoa are US territories.
•
IDIOMS
- come / go with the territory
—more at neutral adjective
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Latin territorium , from terra land. The word originally denoted the district surrounding and under the jurisdiction of a town or city, specifically a Roman or provincial city.