territorial
/ˌterəˈtɔːriəl/ (bre, ipa) · [tˌɛrɪtˈɔriəl] /ˌterəˈtɔːriəl/ (ame, ipa) · [tˌɛrɪtˈɔriəl] /ˌter-ə-ˈtȯr-ē-əl How to pronounce territorial (audio)/ (ame, mw) · /ˌter.ɪˈtɔː.ri.əl/ (bre, ipa) · [tˌɛrɪtˈɔriəl] /ˌter.əˈtɔːr.i.əl/ (ame, ipa)
territorial — adjective
- territorialpositive
- more territorialcomparative
- most territorialsuperlative
1. concerning the ground surface and surrounding sea that belong to a specific coun
concerning the ground surface and surrounding sea that belong to a specific country under law.
The two nations argued over their territorial waters in the South China Sea.
collocation: territorial waters
Sven studied territorial expansion in Southeast Asia during the colonial period.
collocation: territorial expansion
The new law extends the country's territorial claims to include offshore mineral rights.
Wei's family farm sits on land that was part of a long territorial dispute.
- geographical
broader; refers to physical location rather than ownership or control
- regional
refers to a specific area without implying ownership or legal control
- jurisdictional
more formal, focuses on legal authority over an area
文法句型
territorial + noun
用法筆記
Attributive only — territorial almost always comes before the noun it describes (territorial waters, territorial dispute). Not used predicatively in this sense.
常見錯誤
2. acting as if an area belongs only to you and wanting to keep other people or ani
acting as if an area belongs only to you and wanting to keep other people or animals out of it.
Our cat is territorial and hisses at any other animal that comes near the garden.
grammar pattern: is territorial + and + behaviour description
Renata noticed her colleague became very territorial about the office printer after the move.
grammar pattern: territorial about [object]
Male robins are fiercely territorial during nesting season and will attack their own reflection.
Sirin laughed as her little brother grew territorial over the remote control whenever guests visited.
- protective
broader; can describe caring defence rather than aggressive exclusion
- possessive
focuses on not wanting to share rather than physically defending space
- defensive
emphasises reaction to a perceived threat rather than proactive guarding
- sharing
willing to let others use the same space or things
文法句型
be territorial about/over something
用法筆記
Often followed by about or over to specify the thing being defended. Frequently used with intensifying adverbs like fiercely, highly, extremely. Can describe both animal instinct and human behaviour in informal contexts.
常見錯誤
territorial — noun
- territorialsingular
- territorialsplural
1. a soldier who serves in a country's reserve military force on a part-time basis
a soldier who serves in a country's reserve military force on a part-time basis instead of as a full-time professional.
As a Territorial, Aaron trained two evenings a week and one weekend each month.
capitalised noun: a Territorial
Talia's uncle served as a Territorial for twelve years while working as a maths teacher.
Diya's father was called up as a Territorial when the emergency reserve was activated.
Andrés met several other Territorials during the two-week summer training camp.
- reservist
more general term used in many countries, not limited to British context
- militia member
suggests a less formal or locally organised force
- regular soldier
a full-time professional soldier
文法句型
a Territorial
Territorials (plural)
用法筆記
Chiefly British English. Usually capitalised: a Territorial. Refers specifically to members of the Territorial Army (now called the Army Reserve in the UK).