1. to establish or extend colonial control over a territory or people; to make a colony of
Usage: British spelling; American English typically uses 'colonialize' or 'colonize'; often used in historical and political contexts
2. to populate with colonists; to settle with colonists
Usage: less common usage

Examples

• European powers colonialised much of Africa during the 19th century.
• The British sought to colonialise new territories to expand their empire.
• Indigenous peoples resisted attempts to colonialise their lands.
• Spain colonialised large regions of South America in the 16th century.
• The process of colonialising a region often involved displacing native populations.
• Many nations have since decolonialised territories that were colonialised centuries ago.