verb

colonize

KO-luh-nyz

verb

To settle in and take control of a territory, typically one that already has its own inhabitants.

"European powers colonized much of Africa in the 19th century."

"Bacteria can colonize a wound if it isn't kept clean."

How to Use Colonize

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo move into a place and take it over, whether that's a nation seizing territory or bacteria spreading through tissue.

Common pairings

colonize a territory colonize the land bacteria colonize

colonized past tense, colonizes singular

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Can you complete this real example?

European powers _____ much of Africa in the 19th century.

From colony plus the verb suffix -ize.

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