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Definition of "extraterritoriality" [ex•tra•ter•ri•to•ri•al•i•ty]

  • Exemption from local legal jurisdiction, such as that granted to foreign diplomats. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "extraterritoriality" in a sentence
  • "It is still a document worth reading as it essentially granted to all occupying forces and allied private companies what, in the era of colonialism, used to be called "extraterritoriality" -- the freedom not to be in any way subject to Iraqi law or jurisdiction, ever."
  • "MR. MCCURRY: Well, I think all of you are well aware that many of our closest allies do not appreciate what are called the extraterritoriality features of this provision."
  • "Chalmers Johnson calls all of them "foreign military enclaves .... completely beyond the jurisdiction of the occupied nation," a modern day version of 19th century China's "extraterritoriality" granting foreigners charged with crimes the "right" to be tried by his or her own government under his or her own laws."