Colonialism is the practice by which a powerful country directly controls less powerful countries and uses their resources to increase its own power and wealth.
...the bitter oppression of slavery and colonialism.
It is interesting to reflect why European colonialism ended.
colonialism in British English
(kəˈləʊnɪəˌlɪzəm)
noun
the practice of establishing colonies to extend a state's control over other peoples or territories
Compare imperialism (sense 1)
Derived forms
colonialist (coˈlonialist)
noun, adjective
colonialism in American English
(kəˈloʊnniəlˌɪzəm)
noun
the system or policy by which a country maintains foreign colonies, esp. in order to exploit them economically
Derived forms
colonialist (coˈlonialist)
noun, adjective
Examples of 'colonialism' in a sentence
colonialism
It is interesting to reflect why European colonialism ended.
Hirst, Paul After Thatcher (1989)
His talk last week on British colonialism was pointless and tedious.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
How can a balance sheet of European colonialism in Africa be set out?
Grenville, J. A. S. The Collins History of the World in the 20th Century (1994)
In other languages
colonialism
British English: colonialism NOUN
Colonialism is the practice by which a powerful country directly controls less powerful countries and uses their resources to increase its own power and wealth.
...the bitter oppression of slavery and colonialism.