Meaning & use
colonialism
The policy or practice of a country controlling and exploiting another territory and its people, often through settlement.
See it in a sentence
The novel examines the lasting effects of colonialism on the region's culture and economy.
Historians continue to debate how colonialism reshaped trade across the continent.
A note on using this word
"Colonialism" refers to direct control and settlement of a territory, while "imperialism" more broadly includes domination without settlement.
Words with a similar meaning
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