Definition

1. Noun:
   • The geographical area under the jurisdiction of a sovereign state: A defined land or region controlled by a government or ruler.
   • An area of knowledge or interest: A specific field, subject, or scope of activity.
   • A region marked off for administrative or other purposes: An area designated for a specific function, such as governance or management.

Examples

• Geographical area under jurisdiction:
  • The treaty defined the new border between the two nations' territory.
  • American troops were stationed on Japanese territory.
• Area of knowledge or interest:
  • His lecture on quantum physics covered a lot of territory.
  • As a salesperson, she knows her territory very well.
• Region for administrative purposes:
  • The country is divided into several administrative territories.
  • The sales manager is responsible for the northern territory.

Advanced Usage

• "to come with the territory": to be an unavoidable part or consequence of a particular situation, job, or role.
  • Long hours and stress come with the territory of being a surgeon.
• "to go/venture into uncharted territory": to begin doing something new or unknown where there is no prior experience or guidance.
  • Their research is venturing into uncharted scientific territory.

Variants and Related Words

• Territorial (adj): Relating to the ownership or control of an area of land.
  • The two countries had a territorial dispute.
• Territoriality (n): The behavior of an animal or person in defending their territory.
  • The bird's territoriality was evident during mating season.

Synonyms

• Domain: A specified sphere of activity or knowledge.
• Jurisdiction: The official power to make legal decisions and judgments over an area.
• Realm: A field or domain of activity or interest.

Related Phrases

• "to stake a/one's claim to territory": to assert one's right to own or control an area.
  • The explorer planted a flag to stake his claim to the territory.
• "to defend one's territory": to protect an area from intrusion or attack.
  • The company is aggressively defending its market territory from competitors.

Noun

1. the geographical area under the jurisdiction of a sovereign state
   • American troops were stationed on Japanese soil
2. an area of knowledge or interest
   • his questions covered a lot of territory
3. a region marked off for administrative or other purposes