What does "territory" mean?
A large extent or tract of land; for example a region, country or district.
Territory
/ˈtɛɹɪˌtɔɹi/ noun
noun ·Common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A large extent or tract of land; for example a region, country or district.
- Grammar: territory is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: achaea, acres, air space, airspace.
- Useful contrasts: cordoba, hawaii, indonesia.
- Usage evidence: You're stepping into dangerous territory.
How to use "territory"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "territory" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "territory" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "territory" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "territory" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "territory" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "achaea" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "territory", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A large extent or tract of land; for example a region, country or district. countable, uncountable
- 2 an area of knowledge or interest wordnet
- 3 One of three of Canada's federal entities, located in the country's Arctic, with fewer powers than a province and created by an act of Parliament rather than by the Constitution: Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut. Canada, countable, uncountable
- 4 the geographical area under the jurisdiction of a sovereign state wordnet
- 5 One of three of Australia's federal entities, located in the country's north and southeast, with fewer powers than a state and created by an act of Parliament rather than by the Constitution: Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory and Jervis Bay Territory. Australia, countable, uncountable
Show 8 more definitions
- 6 a region marked off for administrative or other purposes wordnet
- 7 A geographic area under control of a single governing entity such as state or municipality; an area whose borders are determined by the scope of political power rather than solely by natural features such as rivers and ridges. countable, uncountable
"Lewis of France had his infancy attended by crafty and worldly men, who made extent of territory the most glorious instance of power, and mistook the acquisition of fame, for the spreading of honour."
- 8 An area that an animal of a particular species consistently defends against its conspecifics. countable, uncountable
- 9 The part of the playing field or board over which a player or team has control. countable, uncountable
"Scotland had the territory and the momentum, forcing England into almost twice as many tackles and rattling them repeatedly at set-pieces."
- 10 A geographic area that a person or organization is responsible for in the course of work. countable, uncountable
"A well-designed sales territory allows a salesperson to make best use of his time with present and potential customers and minimize travel time."
- 11 A location or logical space which someone owns or controls. countable, uncountable
"The establishment of a personal territory almost invariably precedes the sharing of a territory with a mate. For those who are unable to make a break from the parental home, this stage is almost never reached."
- 12 A market segment or scope of professional practice over which an organization or type of practitioner has exclusive rights. countable, uncountable
"The medical registration act eventually did form the foundation for medicine to be able to claim an ever increasing occupational territory and the domination of all other health disciplines."
- 13 An area of subject matter, knowledge, or experience. countable, uncountable
"As a result, as the years have passed, my involvement with storytelling has expanded to the territory of compassionate action."
Antonyms
Example
"You're stepping into dangerous territory."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "territory"?
Common synonyms include: achaea, acres, air space, airspace, alaska, alluvion.
How do you use "territory" in a sentence?
You're stepping into dangerous territory.
How do you pronounce "territory"?
Pronounced /ˈtɛɹɪˌtɔɹi/.
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English territorie, from Latin territōrium.