ENGLISH
REFERENCE

territory

n. C / U
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈtɛɹɪˌtɔɹi// UK //tˈɛɹɪtəɹˌi// ter·ri·to·ry General-service

n. an area of land that belongs to a specific country, person, or animal. You can also use it to talk about a subject or field of knowledge that someone knows well.

n. a geographic area under the jurisdiction of a state or ruler; alternatively, an area defended by an animal or group against intruders. Often used figuratively to describe a specific sphere of activity or knowledge.


SIMPLE

The birds defend their territory from other species during the spring.

CONTEXTUAL

The disputed territory along the border has been a source of tension between the two nations for decades.

COMPLEX

While the marketing department usually handles social media, the new digital strategy falls squarely into the IT department's territory, leading to significant internal friction over budget allocation.

Synonyms
Usage

Often used with the preposition 'in' when referring to abstract fields of knowledge or 'over' when discussing control of land.

Idioms2 entries

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