Territoriality - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Territoriality is the behavior exhibited by animals or humans to defend and mark their area or space as their own, often to protect resources or establish dominance.
Definition:
The behavior of animals or humans defending an area as their own.
Synonyms:
possessiveness, protectiveness, defensiveness
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
openness, sharing
Common Collocations:
territoriality behavior, display territoriality, human territoriality, animal territoriality
Derivatives:
territorial, territorially
Usage Tips:
Use "territoriality" to describe the instinctive defense of space by animals or people.
Common Phrases:
mark one's territory, defend one's turf, stake a claim
Etymology:
Derived from Latin "territorium," meaning land or domain, combined with "-ality" denoting a state or condition.
Examples:
- 1. The dog's territoriality makes it bark at strangers near the house.
- 2. Birds often show territoriality by singing loudly to ward off rivals.
- 3. Human territoriality can lead to conflicts over shared spaces like offices.
- 4. The study examined the territoriality of wolves in the wild.