plymouth colony: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Historical, Academic
Quick answer
What does “plymouth colony” mean?
The first permanent English settlement in New England, founded in 1620 by the Pilgrims in what is now Massachusetts.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The first permanent English settlement in New England, founded in 1620 by the Pilgrims in what is now Massachusetts.
It refers to the colonial settlement, its government, and the period of its existence (1620–1691) before its absorption into the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The term is often used metonymically to represent early colonial struggles, Pilgrim heritage, and the founding of New England society.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used in both varieties but is significantly more frequent in American English due to its centrality to U.S. national history. British usage is typically within a global or imperial historical context.
Connotations
In American English: foundational myth, perseverance, Thanksgiving origins, religious freedom. In British English: an early colonial venture, part of the broader British Empire history, sometimes with connotations of dissent and separation.
Frequency
Very Low in general discourse, Low in British English, Low-to-Medium in American educational/academic contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “plymouth colony” in a Sentence
the Plymouth Colony + verb (was founded, existed, merged)in + the Plymouth Colonyof + the Plymouth ColonyVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “plymouth colony” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The separatists sought to plymouth a colony in the New World. (Highly archaic/inventive)
adjective
British English
- The Plymouth Colony era was fraught with hardship. (Attributive use)
American English
- They studied Plymouth Colony documents at the archive. (Attributive use)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in history, American studies, and religious studies texts. Example: 'The economic structure of the Plymouth Colony was initially communal.'
Everyday
Rare, except around U.S. Thanksgiving or in historical tourism contexts in New England.
Technical
Used in historical research, archaeology, and genealogy with precise dates and legal terminology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “plymouth colony”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “plymouth colony”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “plymouth colony”
- Misspelling as 'Plymoth Colony'.
- Using lowercase ('plymouth colony').
- Confusing it with the modern city of Plymouth, Massachusetts or Plymouth, England.
- Incorrectly stating it was the first English colony in America (Jamestown, 1607, was first).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The first successful English colony was Jamestown, Virginia, founded in 1607. Plymouth, founded in 1620, was the first permanent English settlement in the region of New England.
They were separate colonies. Plymouth was smaller, founded by Pilgrims (Separatists) in 1620. The Massachusetts Bay Colony was larger, founded by Puritans in 1628/1630, with Boston as its centre. Massachusetts Bay eventually absorbed Plymouth Colony in 1691.
The harvest feast of 1621, shared between Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag people, is popularly regarded as the origin of the Thanksgiving tradition in the United States.
No, it is a historical term. It is common in history books, museums, and educational contexts, particularly in the US, but very rare in everyday conversation outside of those settings.
The first permanent English settlement in New England, founded in 1620 by the Pilgrims in what is now Massachusetts.
Plymouth colony is usually formal, historical, academic in register.
Plymouth colony: in British English it is pronounced /ˈplɪməθ ˈkɒləni/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈplɪməθ ˈkɑːləni/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Mayflower compact (directly associated)”
- “Pilgrim fathers (closely associated)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the rock (Plymouth Rock) the Pilgrims supposedly stepped onto, forming their COLONY. PLYMOUTH = PLY (as in ply their trade) + MOUTH (of the new world).
Conceptual Metaphor
FOUNDATION IS A SEED; the colony is the 'seed' from which New England grew. JOURNEY IS A FOUNDATION; the Mayflower's voyage created the colony.
Practice
Quiz
What was the primary significance of the Plymouth Colony?