Territoriality: meaning, definitions and examples

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territoriality

 

[ ˌterɪˌtɔːrɪˈæləti ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

animal behavior

The behavior of an animal in defining and defending its territory against intruders.

Synonyms

defensiveness, protectiveness, territorial behavior

Examples of usage

  • The red fox displays territoriality by marking its territory with urine.
  • Territoriality is common among many bird species.
Context #2 | Noun

psychology

The behavior of an individual or group in defining and defending their territory, physical or otherwise.

Synonyms

boundary setting, space guarding, territorial mindset

Examples of usage

  • Human territoriality can be observed in personal space boundaries.
  • The concept of territoriality is important in understanding social interactions.

Translations

Translations of the word "territoriality" in other languages:

🇵🇹 territorialidade

🇮🇳 क्षेत्रीयता

🇩🇪 Territorialität

🇮🇩 keteritorialan

🇺🇦 територіальність

🇵🇱 terytorialność

🇯🇵 領土性 (りょうどせい)

🇫🇷 territorialité

🇪🇸 territorialidad

🇹🇷 bölgesellik

🇰🇷 영토성 (영토성)

🇸🇦 إقليمية

🇨🇿 územnost

🇸🇰 územnosť

🇨🇳 领土性 (领土性)

🇸🇮 teritorialnost

🇮🇸 landsvæðisleg

🇰🇿 аумақтылық

🇬🇪 ტერიტორიულობა

🇦🇿 ərazisellik

🇲🇽 territorialidad

Etymology

The term 'territoriality' originates from the Latin word 'territorium', meaning 'land, territory'. It was first introduced in the field of animal behavior by biologist John B. Calhoun in the 1940s. The concept was later extended to human behavior by psychologist Robert Sommer in the 1950s. Territoriality plays a significant role in the study of ecology, psychology, and sociology.

See also: territorial, territorially, territories.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,922, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.