colonize

col·o·nize

verb \ˈkä-lə-ˌnīz\

col·o·nizedcol·o·niz·ing

Definition of COLONIZE

transitive verb

1

a : to establish a colony in or on or of <colonize an island>

b : to establish in a colony <the rights of colonized people>

2

: to send illegal or irregularly qualified voters into <colonizing doubtful districts>

3

: to infiltrate with usually subversive militants for propaganda and strategy reasons <colonize industries>

intransitive verb

: to make or establish a colony : settle

— col·o·niz·er noun

Examples of COLONIZE

1. The area was colonized in the 18th century.
2. Weeds quickly colonized the field.
3. The island had been colonized by plants and animals.

First Known Use of COLONIZE

1622

Related to COLONIZE

Synonyms

settle, people, populate

Antonyms

depopulate, unpeople

Related Words

inhabit; move (to), relocate (to)

Rhymes with COLONIZE

advertise, agonize, alchemize, analyze, anglicize, anodize, anywise, aphorize, arborize, atomize, authorize, autolyze, balkanize, barbarize, bastardize, bestialize, bolshevize, booby prize, botanize, bowdlerize, brutalize, canalize, canonize, capsulize, caramelize, carbonize, cartelize, catalyze, catechize, cauterize, centralize, channelize, Christianize, cicatrize, circumcise, civilize, classicize, colorize, communize, compromise, concertize, concretize, creolize, criticize, customize, demonize, deputize, dialyze, digitize, disfranchise, dogmatize, dramatize, elegize, empathize, emphasize, energize, enfranchise, enterprise, equalize, erotize, eternize, etherize, eulogize, euphemize, exercise, exorcise, factorize, fantasize, federalize, feminize, fertilize, feudalize, fictionize, finalize, focalize, formalize, formulize, fossilize, fragmentize, fraternize, gallicize, galvanize, germanize, ghettoize, glamorize, globalize, gormandize, gothicize, gourmandize, grecianize, harmonize, heathenize, hebraize, hellenize, heroize, hierarchize, humanize, hybridize, hypnotize, idolize, immunize, iodize, ionize, ironize, Islamize, itemize, jeopardize, journalize, Judaize, laicize, latinize, legalize, lionize, liquidize, localize, magnetize, marbleize, martyrize, maximize, mechanize, melanize, melodize, memorize, merchandise, mesmerize, methodize, metricize, minimize, mobilize, modernize, moisturize, mongrelize, moralize, motorize, mythicize, narcotize, nasalize, nebulize, neutralize, normalize, notarize, novelize, obelize, odorize, optimize, organize, ostracize, otherwise, oversize, oxidize, paganize, palletize, paradise, paralyze, pasteurize, patronize, pauperize, penalize, penny-wise, personalize, pidginize, plasticize, Platonize, pluralize, pocket-size, poetize, polarize, polemize, pressurize, privatize, profitwise, prussianize, publicize, pulverize, racialize, randomize, rationalize, realize, recognize, rhapsodize, robotize, romanize, sanitize, satirize, scandalize, schematize, schismatize, scrutinize, sensitize, sermonize, signalize, simonize, sinicize, slenderize, sloganize, socialize, sodomize, solarize, solemnize, specialize, stabilize, Stalinize, standardize, sterilize, stigmatize, strategize, subsidize, summarize, supervise, syllogize, symbolize, sympathize, synchronize, syncretize, synopsize, synthesize, systemize, tantalize, televise, temporize, tenderize, terrorize, tetanize, teutonize, texturize, theorize, thermalize, totalize, tranquilize, traumatize, tyrannize, unionize, unitize, urbanize, utilize, valorize, vandalize, vaporize, verbalize, vernalize, victimize, vitalize, vocalize, vulcanize, vulgarize, weather-wise, weatherize, westernize, winterize, womanize, worldly-wise

col·o·nize

verb \ˈkäl-ə-ˌnīz\   (Medical Dictionary)

col·o·nized; col·o·niz·ing

Medical Definition of COLONIZE

transitive verb

1

: to establish a colony in or on <the parasitic roundworms…have succeeded in colonizing a great variety of hosts—W. H. Dowdeswell>

2

: to isolate in supervised groups

intransitive verb

of microorganisms : to become established in a habitat (as a host or a wound) <these bacteria in turn colonize in other parts of the body—R. A. Runnells>

—col·o·ni·za·tion \ˌkäl-ə-nə-ˈzā-shən\ (audio pronunciation) noun