Dictionary
colonize
verb col·o·nize \ˈkä-lə-ˌnīz\
: to create a colony in or on (a place) : to take control of (an area) and send people to live there
: to move into and live in (a place) as a new type of plant or animal
col·o·nizedcol·o·niz·ing
Full Definition of COLONIZE
transitive verb
1
a : to establish a colony in or on or of <colonize an island> b : to establish in a colony <the rights of colonized people>
2
: to send illegal or irregularly qualified voters into <colonizing doubtful districts>
3
: to infiltrate with usually subversive militants for propaganda and strategy reasons <colonize industries>
intransitive verb
: to make or establish a colony : settle
— col·o·niz·er noun
See colonize defined for English-language learners
See colonize defined for kids
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First Known Use of COLONIZE
1622
Related to COLONIZE
- Antonyms
- depopulate, unpeople
Rhymes with COLONIZE
advertise, agonize, alchemize, analyze, anglicize, anodize, anywise, aphorize, arborize, atomize, authorize, autolyze, balkanize, barbarize, bastardize, bestialize, bolshevize, booby prize, botanize, bowdlerize, brutalize, canalize, canonize, capsulize, caramelize, carbonize, cartelize, catalyze, catechize, cauterize, centralize, channelize, Christianize, cicatrize, circumcise, civilize, classicize, colorize, communize, compromise, concertize, concretize, creolize, criticize, customize, demonize, deputize, dialyze, digitize, disfranchise, dogmatize, dramatize, elegize, empathize, emphasize, energize, enfranchise, enterprise, equalize, erotize, eternize, etherize, eulogize, euphemize, exercise, exorcise, factorize, fantasize, federalize, feminize, fertilize, feudalize, fictionize, finalize, focalize, formalize, formulize, fossilize, fragmentize, fraternize, gallicize, galvanize, germanize, ghettoize, glamorize, globalize, gormandize, gothicize, gourmandize, grecianize, harmonize, heathenize, hebraize, hellenize, heroize, hierarchize, humanize, hybridize, hypnotize, idolize, immunize, iodize, ionize, ironize, Islamize, itemize, jeopardize, journalize, Judaize, laicize, latinize, legalize, lionize, liquidize, localize, magnetize, marbleize, martyrize, maximize, mechanize, melanize, melodize, memorize, merchandise, mesmerize, methodize, metricize, minimize, mobilize, modernize, moisturize, mongrelize, moralize, motorize, mythicize, narcotize, nasalize, nebulize, neutralize, normalize, notarize, novelize, obelize, odorize, optimize, organize, ostracize, otherwise, oversize, oxidize, paganize, palletize, paradise, paralyze, pasteurize, patronize, pauperize, penalize, penny-wise, personalize, pidginize, plasticize, Platonize, pluralize, pocket-size, poetize, polarize, polemize, pressurize, privatize, profitwise, prussianize, publicize, pulverize, racialize, randomize, rationalize, realize, recognize, rhapsodize, robotize, romanize, sanitize, satirize, scandalize, schematize, schismatize, scrutinize, sensitize, sermonize, signalize, simonize, sinicize, slenderize, sloganize, socialize, sodomize, solarize, solemnize, specialize, stabilize, Stalinize, standardize, sterilize, stigmatize, strategize, subsidize, summarize, supervise, syllogize, symbolize, sympathize, synchronize, syncretize, synopsize, synthesize, systemize, tantalize, televise, temporize, tenderize, terrorize, tetanize, teutonize, texturize, theorize, thermalize, totalize, tranquilize, traumatize, tyrannize, unionize, unitize, urbanize, utilize, valorize, vandalize, vaporize, verbalize, vernalize, victimize, vitalize, vocalize, vulcanize, vulgarize, weather-wise, weatherize, westernize, winterize, womanize, worldly-wise
COLONIZING Defined for Kids
colonize
verb col·o·nize \ˈkä-lə-ˌnīz\
col·o·nizedcol·o·niz·ing
Definition of COLONIZE for Kids
1
: to establish a colony in or on
2
: to settle in a colony
Medical Dictionary
colonize
verb col·o·nize \ˈkäl-ə-ˌnīz\
col·o·nizedcol·o·niz·ing
Medical Definition of COLONIZE
transitive verb
1
: to establish a colony in or on <the parasitic roundworms…have succeeded in colonizing a great variety of hosts—W. H. Dowdeswell>
2
: to isolate in supervised groups
intransitive verb
of microorganisms : to become established in a habitat (as a host or a wound) <these bacteria in turn colonize in other parts of the body—R. A. Runnells>
—col·o·ni·za·tion \ˌkäl-ə-nə-ˈzā-shən\ noun
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