territorial waters
plural noun
the waters of a littoral state that are regarded as under the jurisdiction of the state: traditionally those waters within three miles (4.8 km) of the shore, but in the 20th century claims by coastal nations have extended to 12 or even 200 miles (19.3 or 321.8 km).
Also called
marine belt.
Compare
high sea(def 1).
Origin of territorial waters
First recorded in 1870–75
Words nearby territorial waters
terrine,
territorial,
territorial army,
territorial court,
territorial matrix,
territorial waters,
territorialism,
territoriality,
territorialize,
territorian,
territory
British Dictionary definitions for territorial waters
territorial waters
pl n
the waters over which a nation exercises jurisdiction and control