Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
colonize
verb
/ˈkɒlənaɪz/
Definition
To establish a colony in a new territory.
Examples
- The Spanish sought to colonize parts of the Americas in the 16th century.
- Many countries colonized Africa during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- Efforts to colonize Mars are a topic of serious scientific discussion today.
Meaning
Colonize refers to the process of settling among and establishing control over the indigenous people of an area. It often involves the migration of a population to a new place and the establishment of political and economic dominance.
Synonyms
- settle
- occupy
- invade
- establish
- conquer
