# colonize

/ˈkɑɫəˌnaɪz/ (US) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/colonize
Updated: 2026-05-26

## Definition

to take control of a new area and start living there, often by force. It can also mean to move to a new place to start a new community.

For teachers: to establish a settlement in a new territory, typically by taking control of it. Often implies the establishment of a dominant political or economic power over the local population.

## Examples

- The company plans to colonize the moon in the next century.
- Historians study how different nations colonize new lands and the long-term effects on the indigenous people.
- The rapid expansion of the empire required a massive effort to colonize the frontier, often leading to significant cultural and environmental shifts in the newly acquired territories.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.