# territoriality

> English word · Noun · IPA /tɛɹɪtɔːɹɪˈalɪti/ · frequency rank #94,330

## Definitions
1. The fact or legal status of being a territory.
2. The pattern of behaviour in animals that defines and defends a territory.
3. A pattern of human behaviour characterised by defence of a particular territory or area of interest.

## Etymology
From territorial + -ity.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/territoriality