colonize

[ kol-uh-nahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, col·o·nized, col·o·niz·ing.

1. 1. (of a nation or government) to claim and forcibly take control of (a territory other than its own), usually sending some of its own people to settle there:

      England colonized Australia.

   2. to move from one’s own country and settle in (such a territory):

      Dutch farmers were among the first Europeans to colonize the river valleys of New Jersey and New York.

2. to be the first settlers in:

   Southern Pacific islanders are thought to have colonized Hawaii around a.d. 450.

3. to compel or induce (people) to settle in an area for economic or political purposes:

   The government made efforts to colonize laborers and their families in areas suitable for growing rice.

4. Biology. (of a species of plant or animal) to move or be transported to (a new habitat) and seek to become established there:

   Arthropods were the first animal species to colonize land around 450 million years ago.

5. Microbiology, Medicine/Medical. (of a microbe) to multiply on or in (another organism), especially without causing infection or disease:

   Researchers attempted to get the bacteria in a probiotic to successfully colonize the intestines of 23 volunteers.

verb (used without object)

, col·o·nized, col·o·niz·ing.

1. to take control of or settle in territories other than one’s own:

   Many other European powers were colonizing during the modern period besides France.

   When the British colonized in Australia, the basic rights of Aboriginals were taken away.

colonize

/ ˈkɒləˌnaɪz /

verb

1. to send colonists to or establish a colony in (an area)
2. to settle in (an area) as colonists
3. tr to transform (a community) into a colony
4. (of plants and animals) to become established in (a new environment)

Derived Forms

• ˈcoloˌnizable, adjective
• ˌcoloniˈzation, noun
• ˈcoloˌnizer, noun

Other Words From

• col·o·niz·a·ble adjective
• col·o·niz·a·bil·i·ty [kol-, uh, -nahy-z, uh, -, bil, -i-tee], noun
• col·o·ni·za·tion [kol-, uh, -nahy-, zey, -sh, uh, n], noun
• col·o·ni·za·tion·ist noun
• col·o·niz·er noun
• in·ter·col·o·ni·za·tion noun
• in·ter·col·o·nize verb intercolonized intercolonizing
• re·col·o·ni·za·tion noun
• re·col·o·nize verb (used with object) recolonized recolonizing
• un·col·o·nize verb (used with object) uncolonized uncolonizing
• well-col·o·nized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of colonize¹

First recorded in 1615–25; colon(y) + -ize

Example Sentences

“They were colonized people, and I’m still a colonized person,” they said.

From Los Angeles Times

The species has colonized new regions when transported on ships’ hulls or in ballast water that is drained in ports.

From Los Angeles Times

And this is the problem that we promote this utilitarian “me first” sort of attitude on the left, and we've just been colonized by the right wing ways of thinking.

From Salon

We are not anywhere near morally advanced enough to begin colonizing the universe.

From Salon

Musk brings up the idea of colonizing Mars so often that it can properly be regarded as a whim of iron.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• conquer