colonies

Definition of coloniesnext
plural of colony
1
as in plantations
a settlement in a new country or region the early history of New York City when it was a Dutch colony

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in communities
a group of people with a common interest living in one place New Hampshire's MacDowell colony was founded as a summer residence for writers and composers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of colonies The Bullock Texas State History Museum recently devoted a compelling exhibition to the Rosenwald Schools, including those in former Central Texas freedom colonies. Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 23 Feb. 2026 Those copies were then distributed to various assemblies, conventions, and continental troops on July 5, proclaiming the colonies’ independence to the world. Brian Rosenzweig, IndyStar, 20 Feb. 2026 Advocates are concerned about what would happen if wood stork colonies are found on private lands when they are no longer federally protected. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 Feb. 2026 As one of the 13 original colonies, Rhode Island is home to many historical museums dedicated to preserving the state's crucial role in the history of the United States. Catherine Messier, The Providence Journal, 19 Feb. 2026 Once in space, the ore could be used as raw material for building space colonies and solar power satellites. Leonard David, Space.com, 18 Feb. 2026 The Nazi invasions left it and several other European colonies as international orphans. Thomas Robertson, Fortune, 17 Feb. 2026 False sunflower spreads aggressively by underground roots to form large colonies of plants. Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Feb. 2026 Marylander John Hanson was the first person elected to lead the body after all 13 colonies signed the Articles of Confederation in 1781. Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colonies
Noun
  • The festival has previously welcomed more than 1,000 guests from around 80 countries, with attendees participating in auctions and touring tobacco plantations.
    Sam Meredith, CNBC, 16 Feb. 2026
  • Every year, the company hosts the annual Habanos Festival, a key event for cigar aficionados and distributors worldwide, where attendees tour tobacco plantations, participate in auctions and witness the latest in craftsmanship.
    Andrea Rodriguez, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The event is focused on uniting youth and senior communities, but is open to anyone.
    Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Public safety, like infrastructure, exists because communities pool resources to provide services the private market often cannot deliver equitably.
    Lisa Mallozzi, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • While Proba-2 had an unobstructed view from space, on Earth the full annular phase was only visible from remote locations in Antarctica, limiting the spectacle to just a small number of researchers stationed at remote scientific outposts … and a lot of penguins.
    Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 20 Feb. 2026
  • These are Galerie Cécile Fakhoury, which has outposts in Abidjan, Dakar, and Paris; Madrid’s Galería Guillermo de Osma; Paris’s Galerie Kaléidoscope; Milan’s ML Fine Art; and Tokyo’s Kotaro Nukaga.
    News Desk, Artforum, 19 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Colonies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colonies. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.

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