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

The study found that the adjuvant encouraged a mucosal immune response, spurring the activation of immune cells in the respiratory tract critical for halting the bacteria's ability to colonize.

From Science Daily

However, a diverse range of native species successfully colonized the tree islands, including trees that are endemic to Sundaland, meaning that they are only found in this region.

From Science Daily

“They saw very complex stratified societies with monumental architecture and public works, but all without so-called agriculture,” she says, which they cited as a justification for colonizing “unused” lands.

From Science Magazine

"Microbes are the pioneers colonizing this kind of environment and preparing the ground for the next succession of life," Wagner said.

From Science Daily

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

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• conquer