territorial waters

plural noun

: the waters under the sovereign jurisdiction of a nation or state including both marginal sea and inland waters

Examples of territorial waters in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Securing a government’s sign-off to enter its territorial waters can take a month or more. — Ramin Skibba, Scientific American, 27 May 2026 The strait has long been considered an international waterway despite being in Iran and Oman’s territorial waters. — Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026 The strait is considered an international waterway, despite being the territorial waters of Iran and Oman. — Arkansas Online, 28 June 2026 The incident took place 20 miles (32 kilometers) south of the Isle of Wight, outside UK territorial waters. — Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for territorial waters

Word History

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of territorial waters was in 1841

Rhymes for territorial waters

See All Rhymes for territorial waters

Browse Nearby Words

Territorial style
territorial waters
Territorian
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Cite this Entry

“Territorial waters.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/territorial%20waters. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Legal Definition

territorial waters

noun plural
territorial wa·​ters
: the waters under the sovereign jurisdiction of a nation or state including both marginal sea and inland waters

More from Merriam-Webster on territorial waters

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about territorial waters

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