decolonize

[ dee-kol-uh-nahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, de·col·o·nized, de·col·o·niz·ing.

1. to release (a country or region) from the status of a colony, or to allow (a colony) to become self-governing or independent.
2. to reexamine and make changes in (a subject field, tradition, etc.) so as to counter the belief that the culture of a colonizing power is more worthy or important than the culture of a colonized people: decoloniality ( def ).

   From seed cataloguing to sustainable fishing, Indigenous people are decolonizing their diets and preserving their folkways.

   There is a movement to decolonize the curriculum, urging Western academics to change their courses to better reflect the ideas and experiences of peoples from all parts of the globe.

verb (used without object)

, de·col·o·nized, de·col·o·niz·ing.

1. to free a colony to become self-governing or independent.

decolonize

/ diːˈkɒləˌnaɪz /

verb

1. tr to grant independence to (a colony)

Derived Forms

• deˌcoloniˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• de·col·o·ni·za·tion [dee-kol-, uh, -nahy-, zey, -sh, uh, n], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of decolonize¹

First recorded in 1850–55; de- ( def ) + colonize ( def )

Example Sentences

Rowling and transgender rights, plus how to ‘decolonize’ a garden.

From Los Angeles Times

They also noted that “decolonization” has become a hot topic in archaeology and that—although she had worked hard to decolonize the field herself—Hofman might have become a target because she is a professor at a Western university.

From Science Magazine

Slogans ranged from “Decolonize” to “Coexist” and “UW has blood on their hands.”

From Seattle Times

The artist was identified only as “Decolonize Now.”

From Los Angeles Times

Among the students paying rapt attention inside a Norwalk martial arts studio is 42-year-old Nikki Shrieves, who wears a sweatshirt with “decolonize” written on the back over and over again, each iteration a different color of the Pride flag.

From Los Angeles Times