territorial
adjective /ˌterəˈtɔːriəl/
/ˌterəˈtɔːriəl/
- [usually before noun] connected with the land or sea that is owned by a particular country
- territorial disputes
- Both countries feel they have territorial claims to (= have a right to own) the islands.
- (of animals, birds, etc.) guarding and defending an area of land that they believe to be their own
- territorial instincts
- Cats are very territorial.
Word Originearly 17th cent.: from late Latin territorialis, from Latin territorium, from terra ‘land’.