colonial

1 of 2

adjective

co·​lo·​nial kə-ˈlō-nē-əl 

-nyəl

1

a

: of, relating to, or characteristic of a colony

colonial trade

colonial life

a colonial capital

The Haitian Revolution, led by self-liberated enslaved people against the French colonial government, was an early precursor to the abolition movements of the United States.

—Chadd Scott

: having the status of a colony

colonial territories

b

: possessing or composed of colonies

Britain's colonial empire

… when the United States became a colonial power, assuming control of Puerto Rico, the Philippines and Hawaii …

—Peter S. Canellos

2

or less commonly Colonial : of or relating to a period when an area is being colonized and especially to the period of European colonization in U.S. history between the early 17th century and the late 18th century

in colonial times

: such as

a

: made or prevailing during a colonial period

a town known for its Dutch/French/Spanish colonial architecture

colonial furniture

b

: adapted from or reminiscent of a mode of design from a colonial period

new homes built in the colonial style

3

: forming, existing in, or used by a colony

Though it may look like a tropical plant or colorful rock, coral is a colonial carnivore …

—Mark Derr

colonialize

kə-ˈlō-nē-ə-ˌlīz 

-nyə-ˌlīz

transitive verb

colonially adverb

colonialness noun

colonial

2 of 2

noun

plural colonials

1

: a member or inhabitant of a colony

British colonials in India

a rebellion of the colonials

2

a

: a product (such as a coin or stamp) made for use in a colony

b

or Colonial : a product exhibiting colonial style

especially : a house built in the neoclassical style of the American colonial period

LaMontagne said the homes will be two-story Colonials with attached garages and about three to four bedrooms.

—Mark Hayward

Synonyms of colonial

Adjective

• social

Noun

• settler
• pioneer
• colonist

Examples of colonial in a Sentence

Adjective

The country was a colonial power.

a colonial nation and its colonial empire

The book describes life in Colonial America.

an example of colonial architecture

The port had been very important in colonial times.

Noun

They bought a Colonial on a quiet street.

increasing tension between colonials and the mother country

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Historic Santo Domingo, home to some of the oldest colonial architecture in the Americas, is easily reachable by car, and flights to the United States and Canada are a breeze with connections from the nearby Samaná El Catey International Airport (AZS). —Dana Sauchelli, Travel + Leisure, 22 Jan. 2026

In so doing, avoid withdrawing NATO’s commitment to defend NATO member states’ remote, former (and, in the case of Cyprus, coincidentally insular) colonial territories was thus established as a norm for the alliance, not an exception – one that is newly relevant once again. —Barry Scott Zellen, Hartford Courant, 22 Jan. 2026

Noun

This program collects two mid-length documentaries by Raymond Depardon from the mid-1970s, inaugurating a career-spanning interest in former French colonial Africa. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2026

The main five-bedroom colonial has a stone fireplace, water views, a new kitchen, and a pool. —The Week Us, TheWeek, 20 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1764, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1797, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing colonial

• anti-colonial
• inter-colonial
• pre-colonial
• settler colonial

Rhymes for colonial

• anticolonial
• intercolonial
• neocolonial
• antimonial
• ceremonial
• matrimonial
• postcolonial
• precolonial
• testimonial
• baronial

Kids Definition

colonial

1 of 2 adjective

co·​lo·​nial kə-ˈlō-nē-əl 

-nyəl

1

: of, relating to, or characteristic of a colony

2

often capitalized : of or relating to the original 13 colonies forming the U.S.

3

: forming or existing in a colony

colonial organisms

4

: possessing or composed of colonies

a colonial empire

colonial

2 of 2 noun

: colonist sense 1