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

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
suffix
Dictionnaire Français-Anglais