1. Geographic Area:
* In a general sense: A territory is a defined area of land, sea, or air. It can be a country, a state, a city, a region, a piece of property, or even a virtual space.
* In political geography: Territory refers to the land controlled by a particular state or nation. It includes the land area, its borders, and its resources.
* In ecology: Territory is a specific area that an animal or group of animals defends from other individuals of the same species.
2. Jurisdiction and Control:
* In legal terms: Territory refers to an area subject to a particular jurisdiction or legal system. This can be a country, a state, or even a specific building.
* In military context: Territory is the land or air space that a military force controls.
3. Area of Influence or Activity:
* In business: A company's territory refers to the geographic area where it operates or has a presence.
* In a more abstract sense: Someone's territory can be their personal space, their area of expertise, or even their emotional space.
Examples:
* "The United States is a large territory." (geographic area)
* "The company's territory covers the entire eastern coast." (business area)
* "The lion defended its territory from other lions." (animal behavior)
* "The police entered the suspect's territory." (legal jurisdiction)
In summary, "territory" can be understood as a defined area with boundaries, subject to control, and often associated with ownership, jurisdiction, or influence.