territory
territory Lexical Profile
territory Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An area of land under the jurisdiction of a specific ruler, state, or nation.
"The treaty established the river as the official boundary between the two nations' territories."
An area defended by an animal or group of animals against others of the same sex or species.
"The male robin aggressively defended its territory from rival birds during the spring breeding season."
A field of knowledge, expertise, or activity.
"Quantum mechanics was unfamiliar territory for the undergraduate biology students."
Word Nuance & Usage
Often confused with 'terrain,' which refers to the physical or topographical features of a tract of land, whereas 'territory' primarily emphasizes political jurisdiction, ownership, or geographic boundaries.
• Rhymes for territory
Word Origin & Etymology
Late Middle English: from Latin territorium 'land around a town, domain, district,' derived from terra 'earth, land.'