colonialize: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Academic, Historical
Quick answer
What does “colonialize” mean?
To establish a colony or colonies in a territory.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To establish a colony or colonies in a territory; to bring under colonial control or influence.
To impose the cultural, political, or economic systems of a colonizing power on another society or region. Can also be used metaphorically to describe the process of dominating or imposing one's own structures on a space, system, or group.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The spelling 'colonialise' is the standard British form, while 'colonialize' is standard American. The word is used in both varieties but is rare in everyday speech.
Connotations
In both varieties, the term is heavily loaded due to historical contexts. In British English, it may more directly reference the nation's imperial past. In American English, usage might more often refer to external actions or be used in academic critique.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. More likely encountered in historical or political science texts than in general media.
Grammar
How to Use “colonialize” in a Sentence
[Subject: nation/entity] colonialize [Object: territory/region][Subject: entity] colonialize [Object: system/culture] (metaphorical)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “colonialize” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The 19th-century empire sought to colonialise vast regions of Africa.
- Critics argue that the policy would effectively colonialise the local economy.
American English
- The debate centered on the nation's attempt to colonialize the island chain.
- Their aim was not just to trade but to colonialize the entire political structure.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially used metaphorically: 'The tech giant's strategy was to colonialize the emerging market's digital ecosystem.'
Academic
Primary context. Used in history, political science, and post-colonial studies to describe imperial processes.
Everyday
Very rare. Would sound overly formal or technical.
Technical
Used in specific historical or sociological analysis.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “colonialize”
- Using 'colonialize' when the simpler 'colonize' is meant. Confusing it with 'colonize' (which can be more neutral, e.g., 'bacteria colonize'). Misspelling as 'colonize' in contexts specifically about the *system* of colonialism.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Colonize' is the broader, more common term meaning to establish a colony. 'Colonialize' is rarer and specifically emphasizes imposing the *system* of colonialism—its political, economic, and cultural structures—on a territory.
Yes, it is a standard English verb, though it is of low frequency and primarily used in formal or academic contexts related to the study of colonialism.
Yes, it is often used metaphorically in critiques of globalization, business, or culture to describe a powerful entity imposing its systems on another in a dominating way (e.g., 'to colonialize a digital platform').
The direct noun is 'colonialization', but 'colonization' is far more common. The related key noun is 'colonialism', which refers to the policy or ideology behind the action.
To establish a colony or colonies in a territory.
Colonialize is usually formal, academic, historical in register.
Colonialize: in British English it is pronounced /kəˈləʊ.ni.ə.laɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˈloʊ.ni.ə.laɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specific to this verb]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A colonial POWER tries to COLONIALIZE to make a territory its SIZE.
Conceptual Metaphor
COLONIALISM IS A DISEASE/INFECTION (e.g., 'The ideology began to colonialize their institutions.') | COLONIALISM IS POSSESSION/OWNERSHIP (e.g., 'They sought to colonialize the land.')
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'colonialize' most appropriately?