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

Import and export of crops are entrenched in colonialism, but cacao is an ancient native food, so you can also find many people still growing and making chocolate who are originally from the land in which cacao grows.

From Eater

That makes sense for the genre, because the gothic novel has been interested in thinking through questions of colonialism and empire for a long, long time.

From Vox

It lends itself naturally to metaphors about colonialism and empire.

From Vox

For example, per capita greenhouse gas emissions have historically been highest in countries that profited from slavery and colonialism.

From Fortune

Africa sees China as an alternative financier and a path to economic development without the cloud of colonialism—although this perspective is changing and criticism of China from within Africa is becoming more common.

From Quartz

What he has said publicly is an apology for colonialism, something we are not guilty of in Cuba.

From The Daily Beast

“Life was much better than now,” Botala says of colonialism.

From The Daily Beast

Because it has, in the past, been a tool of racism and colonialism, and in the present, is a means of rationing health care.

From The Daily Beast

At the turn of the century, zoos displaying so-called primitive cultures were used to drum up public support for colonialism.

From The Daily Beast

One hundred years ago, Senegalese natives were put on display in Norway to drum up support for colonialism.

From The Daily Beast

Let no one cite India as an argument in defense of colonialism.

From Project Gutenberg

He tells them with the sweetest tones of his charming voice that they are pleased and happy to rot in "colonialism."

From Project Gutenberg

The Democratic party has declared such a policy to be only imperialism and colonialism under another name.

From Project Gutenberg

He had classified banks of issue, colonialism, and slavery, as well as some other things as equal parts of a mercantile program.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus the extra constitutional foundations of the Republican party have led to colonialism.

From Project Gutenberg