colony

col·o·ny

noun \ˈkä-lə-nē\

plural col·o·nies

Definition of COLONY

1

a : a body of people living in a new territory but retaining ties with the parent state b : the territory inhabited by such a body

2

: a distinguishable localized population within a species <a colony of termites>

3

a : a circumscribed mass of microorganisms usually growing in or on a solid medium b : the aggregation of zooids of a compound animal

4

a : a group of individuals or things with common characteristics or interests situated in close association <an artist colony> b : the section occupied by such a group

5

: a group of persons institutionalized away from others <a leper colony> <a penal colony>; also : the land or buildings occupied by such a group

Examples of COLONY

1. Massachusetts was one of the original 13 British colonies that later became the United States.
2. a former French colony in Africa

Origin of COLONY

Middle English colonie, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, from Latin colonia, from colonus farmer, colonist, from colere to cultivate — more at wheel

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to COLONY

Synonyms: plantation

Related Words: camp, diaspora, exclave, habitation, outpost, post; dependency, mandate, possession, protectorate, territory

see all synonyms and antonyms

[+]more[-]hide

Other Biology Terms

autochthonous, fecund, homunculus, phylogeny, substrate