colony

word

/ˈkɑɫəni/
KAH-luh-nee
/kˈɒləni/
KO-luh-nee

Definition

A colony is a place controlled by another country, or a group of animals, insects, or people living closely together in one area. The meaning depends on whether you are talking about history, politics, or nature.

Usage & Nuances

Often used in history as 'a British colony' or 'former colony'. In science and nature, common collocations include 'ant colony', 'bat colony', and 'colony of bacteria'. Do not confuse it with 'colonization', which is the process, or 'colonial', the adjective.

Example Sentences

This island was once a colony of Spain.

basic

The museum has a new exhibit about life in the old colony.

natural

People still debate how the former colony should remember that period.

natural

A bird colony lives near the lake.

basic

The children watched an ant colony in the garden.

basic

Researchers found a small colony of bats inside the cave.

natural