territory

Everyday

1. A territory is an area of land that belongs to or is ruled by a country or a ruler. tree →
2. In some countries (Australia, Canada) a territory is a part of the country with its own government, but not a full state or province, like the Northern Territory or Yukon. tree →
3. An animal's territory is the area it lives in and defends from others. tree →
4. Territory can mean an area of knowledge or experience: «new territory». tree →

In the lessons

In geography and history lessons pupils learn about territories on maps: the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory, Canada's Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut. In science, many animals (robins, lions, wolves) mark and defend their territory with songs, scent or fights. Phrases: «enemy territory», «defend its territory», «new territory», «unknown territory».

Examples

• The robin sings to defend its territory. tree →
• Darwin is in the Northern Territory. tree →
• Canada has three territories and ten provinces. tree →
• Lions mark their territory with scent. tree →
• The explorers entered unknown territory. tree →
• Dogs bark when strangers come into their territory. tree →
• The country claimed the island as its territory. tree →
• When, therefore, they sighted the Argo from afar they armed themselves and rushed to the shore, determined to repel any invasion of their territory. tree →

Note

Plural: territories (y → ies). Adjective: territorial («territorial animals»). Capital letters for names: the Northern Territory. A territory is smaller in power than a state in Australia.