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
The Defense Ministry of Japan reported the Chinese naval movements near the country's territorial waters, which are measured up to 12 nautical miles from its coasts.
—
Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024
In August, for example, the Chinese navy and air force violated Japan’s territorial waters and airspace—an escalation that was eclipsed, just weeks later, when China sailed an aircraft carrier through Japanese waters for the first time.
—Kyle Balzer, Foreign Affairs, 21 Nov. 2024
The intrusion came after a Japanese destroyer sailed into Chinese territorial waters on July 4.
—Ryan Chan, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024
In South America, the increasingly foreign presence in territorial waters is stoking nationalist worry.
—Ian Urbina, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for territorial waters 
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.
Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024
In August, for example, the Chinese navy and air force violated Japan’s territorial waters and airspace—an escalation that was eclipsed, just weeks later, when China sailed an aircraft carrier through Japanese waters for the first time.
—Kyle Balzer, Foreign Affairs, 21 Nov. 2024
The intrusion came after a Japanese destroyer sailed into Chinese territorial waters on July 4.
—Ryan Chan, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024
In South America, the increasingly foreign presence in territorial waters is stoking nationalist worry.
—Ian Urbina, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for territorial waters
Dictionary Entries Near territorial waters
Cite this Entry
“Territorial waters.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/territorial%20waters. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share