Dictionary-Definition.com :: Territory definition

Definition of 'territory'

noun

A region marked off for administrative or other purposes [syn: district, territory, territorial dominion, dominion]

noun

An area of knowledge or interest; "his questions covered a lot of territory"

noun

The geographical area under the jurisdiction of a sovereign state; "American troops were stationed on Japanese soil" [syn: territory, soil]

From: GCIDE

Territory \Ter"ri*to*ry\, n.; pl. Territories. [L. territorium, from terra the earth: cf. F. territoire. See Terrace.]
1. A large extent or tract of land; a region; a country; a district. [1913 Webster]
He looked, and saw wide territory spread Before him -- towns, and rural works between. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
2. The extent of land belonging to, or under the dominion of, a prince, state, or other form of government; often, a tract of land lying at a distance from the parent country or from the seat of government; as, the territory of a State; the territories of the East India Company. [1913 Webster]
3. In the United States, a portion of the country not included within the limits of any State, and not yet admitted as a State into the Union, but organized with a separate legislature, under a Territorial governor and other officers appointed by the President and Senate of the United States. In Canada, a similarly organized portion of the country not yet formed into a Province. [1913 Webster]