crown colony

noun

1. a British colony in which the crown has the entire control of legislation and administration, as distinguished from one having a constitution and representative government.

crown colony

noun

1. a British colony whose administration and legislature is controlled by the Crown

Word History and Origins

Origin of crown colony¹

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

In 1846, the Treaty of Oregon established the 49th Parallel as the international boundary between America and the British Crown colony, exempting Vancouver Island.

From Seattle Times

Because Trinidad was still a crown colony at the time, my father actually entered Canada on a British passport.

From Salon

It was given to Edward VII on his 66th birthday by the government of the Transvaal - a former British crown colony - in what is now South Africa.

From BBC

Aden was officially declared a Crown Colony in 1937.

From Seattle Times

In 1937 it became a Crown Colony with great strategic importance to the British.

From Reuters