colonialism

[kuh-loh-nee-uh-liz-uhm]

noun

1. the control or governing influence of a nation over a dependent country, territory, or people.

2. the system or policy by which a nation maintains or advocates control or influence over a dependent country, territory, or people.

3. the state or condition of being colonial.

4. an idea, custom, or practice peculiar to a colony.

colonialism

/ kəˈləʊnɪəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. Also called: imperialism. the policy and practice of a power in extending control over weaker peoples or areas

colonialism

1. The control of one nation by “transplanted” people of another nation — often a geographically distant nation that has a different culture and dominant racial or ethnic group. (See ethnicity.)

Control that is economic and cultural, rather than political, is often called neocolonialism.

A classic example of colonialism is the control of India by Britain from the eighteenth century to 1947.

Other Word Forms

• colonialist noun
• colonialistic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of colonialism¹

First recorded in 1850–55; colonial ( def. ) + -ism ( def. )

Example Sentences

It was a product of the industrial age, colonialism and newly racialized ideas of citizenship.

From Salon

Curricula are being purged of “divisive concepts,” anti-racist scholarship is demonized, and educators who teach about settler colonialism, gender or Palestinian liberation are being censored, surveilled or fired.

From Salon

"We understand colonialism and we understand how important it is to support each other internationally," Mr Ó hAnnaidh said.

From BBC

The group presented a number of recommendations, including that the city council should apologise for Edinburgh's past role in slavery and colonialism.

From BBC

While it’s easy to imagine that colonialism is part of our past, think again.

From Salon