1. establishing control over and settling in a territory or country
Usage: present participle of colonise; British spelling
2. spreading to and establishing a presence in a new area or environment
Usage: often used in biological or ecological contexts

Examples

• European powers spent centuries colonising various parts of Africa.
• The company is colonising new markets in Asia.
• Invasive species are colonising the wetlands at an alarming rate.
• The bacteria are colonising the patient’s respiratory system.
• Early settlers began colonising the western territories in the 1800s.
• Coral polyps are slowly colonising the artificial reef structure.