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territorial
/tɛ.ʁi.tɔ.ʁjal/
relating to territory
Les conflits territoriaux entre pays voisins sont souvent complexes.
Territorial conflicts between neighboring countries are often complex.
formal
relating to the land or area controlled by a particular state, group, or individual
La dispute territoriale entre les deux pays dure depuis des décennies.
The territorial dispute between the two countries has lasted for decades.
Les animaux marquent leur territoire de manière territoriale.
Animals mark their territory in a territorial manner.
Commonly used in political, geographical, and biological contexts.
formal
having a strong attachment to one's own territory or land
Les espèces territoriales défendent leur habitat contre les intrus.
Territorial species defend their habitat against intruders.
Often used in ecology and animal behavior.
Collocations
conflit territorialterritorial disputerevendication territorialeterritorial claimdroit territorialterritorial rightespace territorialterritorial space
Synonyms
Pro Tip
Common Collocations
Pair 'territorial' with nouns like 'dispute', 'claim', 'right', or 'space' to describe conflicts or rights over land.
Gold Rule
Avoid Overuse
Do not use 'territorial' to describe personal attachment to a home or country unless in a metaphorical or humorous context.
Word Origin
From Latin *territorialis*, derived from *territorium* (territory), from *terra* (earth, land). First recorded in French in the 16th century.
Usage Notes
The word is formal and typically used in political, geographical, or biological contexts. Avoid using it to describe personal or emotional attachment to a place unless in a metaphorical sense.
Word Breakdown
territoire
territory
root-al
relating to
suffixDictionnaire Français-Anglais