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Colonialism: meaning, definitions and examples

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colonialism

 

[ kəˈloʊniəˌlɪzəm ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

historical practice

Colonialism is a practice in which a country establishes control over a foreign territory, often settling its own population there and exploiting resources. This domination frequently leads to significant alterations in the political, economic, and cultural frameworks of the colonized region.

Synonyms

colonization, imperialism, occupation

Examples of usage

  • The effects of colonialism are still felt in many countries.
  • Historians study the impacts of colonialism on indigenous cultures.
  • Colonialism often resulted in the exploitation of local resources.

Translations

Translations of the word "colonialism" in other languages:

🇵🇹 colonialismo

🇮🇳 औपनिवेशवाद

🇩🇪 Kolonialismus

🇮🇩 kolonialisme

🇺🇦 колоніалізм

🇵🇱 kolonializm

🇯🇵 植民地主義

🇫🇷 colonialisme

🇪🇸 colonialismo

🇹🇷 sömürgecilik

🇰🇷 식민지주의

🇸🇦 الاستعمار

🇨🇿 kolonialismus

🇸🇰 kolonializmus

🇨🇳 殖民主义

🇸🇮 kolonializem

🇮🇸 nýlendustefna

🇰🇿 колониализм

🇬🇪 კოლონიალიზმი

🇦🇿 kolonializm

🇲🇽 colonialismo

Word origin

The term 'colonialism' originates from the Latin word 'colonia', meaning 'settlement' or 'farm', which in turn comes from 'colonus', meaning 'farmer' or 'settler'. The concept arose in the Age of Discovery when European powers sought new territories to expand their empires. Spanning several centuries, colonialism has primarily been associated with European nations from the 15th century onward, especially during the 19th century when the Scramble for Africa took place. During this time, many countries in Africa, Asia, and the Americas experienced colonization, resulting in profound demographic, social, and economic changes. Scholars often analyze the legacy of colonialism, including themes of exploitation, racism, and cultural erasure, prompting discussions about post-colonialism and the ongoing ramifications for contemporary political and social structures in previously colonized nations.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,700, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.