colonize Definition
to take control of an area or a country that is not your own, especially using force, and send people from your own country to live there.
Using colonize: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "colonize" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The British colonized India in the 19th century.
Example
The Spanish colonized South America in the 16th century.
Example
The French colonized Algeria in the 19th century.
Example
The Dutch colonized Indonesia in the 17th century.
colonize Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with colonize
Example
Britain was a major colonial power in the 19th century.
colonialism
the policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically
Example
The effects of colonialism are still felt in many parts of the world today.
the process by which colonies become independent of the colonizing country
Example
Many African countries gained independence through decolonization in the mid-20th century.
Origins of colonize
from Latin 'colonus', meaning 'farmer'
Summary: colonize in Brief
The verb 'colonize' [ˈkɒlənaɪz] means to take control of an area or country, often through force, and send people from one's own country to live there. Examples include the British colonization of India and the Spanish colonization of South America. 'Colonize' extends into phrases like 'colonial power,' referring to countries that have or had colonies, and 'decolonization,' the process of colonies becoming independent.
