territorial

views updated May 18 2018

ter·ri·to·ri·al / ˌteriˈtôrēəl/ • adj. 1. of or relating to the ownership of an area of land or sea: territorial disputes. ∎  Zool. (of an animal or species) defending a territory: these sharks are aggressively territorial. ∎  of or relating to an animal's territory or its defense: territorial growls.2. of or relating to a particular territory, district, or locality: a bizarre territorial rite. ∎  (usu. Territorial) of or relating to a Territory, in the U.S. or Canada.• n. (Territorial) (in the UK) a member of the Territorial Army, a volunteer force locally organized to provide a reserve of trained and disciplined manpower for use in an emergency.DERIVATIVES: ter·ri·to·ri·al·i·ty / -ˌtôrēˈalitē/ n.ter·ri·to·ri·al·ly adv.

More From encyclopedia.com