colonialism

[ kuh-loh-nee-uh-liz-uhm ]

noun

1. the control or governing influence of a nation over a dependent country, territory, or people.
2. the system or policy by which a nation maintains or advocates control or influence over a dependent country, territory, or people.
3. the state or condition of being colonial.
4. an idea, custom, or practice peculiar to a colony.

colonialism

/ kəˈləʊnɪəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. the policy and practice of a power in extending control over weaker peoples or areas Also calledimperialism

colonialism

1. The control of one nation by “transplanted” people of another nation — often a geographically distant nation that has a different culture and dominant racial or ethnic group. ( See ethnicity .)

Notes

Control that is economic and cultural, rather than political, is often called neocolonialism .

A classic example of colonialism is the control of India by Britain from the eighteenth century to 1947.

Derived Forms

• coˈlonialist, nounadjective

Other Words From

• co·lo·ni·al·ist noun adjective
• co·lo·ni·al·is·tic [k, uh, -loh-nee-, uh, -, lis, -tik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of colonialism¹

First recorded in 1850–55; colonial ( def ) + -ism ( def )

Example Sentences

The French Senegalese filmmaker returns with a rich and absorbing exploration of the specter of colonialism that continues the enthralling, otherworldly quality of her 2019 breakthrough film, “Atlantics.”

From Los Angeles Times

On Tuesday, Macron also addressed colonialism but stopped short of an apology.

From BBC

In part, the dominance of beef in American cuisine can be traced to settler colonialism, a form of colonization in which settlers claim – and then transform – lands inhabited by Indigenous people.

From Salon

It's even more pointed in a forum such as the Commonwealth summit, with leaders representing some of the countries most affected by the legacy of colonialism and slavery.

From BBC

They see a profound work of art, pregnant with meaning about social issues like racism, sexism, antisemitism and colonialism.

From Salon