recolonization
noun
re·col·o·ni·za·tion
(ˌ)rē-ˈkä-də-ˌfī 
plural recolonizations
: the colonization of a previously colonized region or habitat: such as
a
: the act of re-establishing colonies in or on an area
Mr. Sumter has very fully disclosed the real views of the British government and their longings for the recolonization of the Spanish and Portuguese possessions in America.—
John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams
b
: the repopulation of a habitat by a previously colonizing species
The recolonization of the Soda Mountains by bighorn sheep shows how important these natural connections are and how resilient nature can be when given a chance.—Thomas E. Lovejoy and Edward O. Wilson
Thomas E. Lovejoy and Edward O. WilsonThe persistent antimicrobial effectiveness is a quantitative measurement of a product's ability to prevent microbial recolonization of the skin surfaces …—Daryl S. Paulson
Daryl S. PaulsonExamples of recolonization in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Report a black bear sighting online and help state agencies track its recolonization in Tennessee.
—Katie Nixon, Nashville Tennessean, 5 June 2025
The species’ stunning recolonization of the state began in 2011 when a wolf from northeastern Oregon ventured over state lines.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2025
However, if they’re all gone, recolonization is unlikely given snails’ limited ability to travel.
—Anton Sorokin, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Feb. 2025
Advertisement The species’ stunning recolonization of California began just 13 years ago when a wolf from northeastern Oregon known as OR-7 ventured into the Golden State.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 30 Nov. 2024
Even after Chinese tallow has been controlled in these areas, there remains a continual threat of recolonization and future risk to these natural resources.
—Dennis Pillion | Dpillion@al.com, al, 8 May 2022
On the sixth, more distant islet, recolonization took longer, and the eventual number of resident species was lower—more confirmation.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2021
One is an über powerful antibiotic (that wipes out good and bad bacteria alike, making the gut vulnerable to recolonization by friend or foe).
—Breanna Draxler, Discover Magazine, 7 Oct. 2013
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Katie Nixon, Nashville Tennessean, 5 June 2025
The species’ stunning recolonization of the state began in 2011 when a wolf from northeastern Oregon ventured over state lines.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2025
However, if they’re all gone, recolonization is unlikely given snails’ limited ability to travel.
—Anton Sorokin, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Feb. 2025
Advertisement The species’ stunning recolonization of California began just 13 years ago when a wolf from northeastern Oregon known as OR-7 ventured into the Golden State.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 30 Nov. 2024
Even after Chinese tallow has been controlled in these areas, there remains a continual threat of recolonization and future risk to these natural resources.
—Dennis Pillion | Dpillion@al.com, al, 8 May 2022
On the sixth, more distant islet, recolonization took longer, and the eventual number of resident species was lower—more confirmation.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2021
One is an über powerful antibiotic (that wipes out good and bad bacteria alike, making the gut vulnerable to recolonization by friend or foe).
—Breanna Draxler, Discover Magazine, 7 Oct. 2013
Cite this Entry
“Recolonization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recolonization. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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