1. establishes a colony in a territory; settles and takes control of an area
2. spreads to and establishes a presence in a new environment or habitat
Usage: biology

Examples

• Spain colonizes much of South America in the 16th century.
• The company colonizes new markets with aggressive expansion.
• Bacteria colonizes the wound if not properly cleaned.
• The invasive species colonizes native habitats rapidly.
• Britain colonizes territories across multiple continents.
• Coral colonizes the artificial reef structure.
• The settlement colonizes the fertile river valley.