( BrE also col·on·ise ) / ˈkɒlənaɪz; NAmE ˈkɑː-/ verb [ vn ]
1.
to take control of an area or a country that is not your own, especially using force, and send people from your own country to live there :
The area was colonized by the Vikings.
2.
( biology ) ( of animals or plants ) to live or grow in large numbers in a particular area :
The slopes are colonized by flowering plants.
Bats had colonized the ruins.
► col·on·iza·tion , col·on·isa·tion / ˌkɒlənaɪˈzeɪʃn; NAmE ˌkɑːlənəˈz-/ noun [ U ]:
the colonization of the 'New World'
plant colonization
► col·on·izer , col·on·isa·tion noun