1. past tense and past participle of colonise; established control over a territory and settled it with people from another country
Usage: British spelling
2. past tense and past participle of colonise; spread to and established a presence in a new area or environment
Usage: often used in biological contexts

Examples

• The British colonised many parts of Africa in the 19th century.
• Australia was colonised by European settlers beginning in 1788.
• The island had been colonised by various powers throughout history.
• Bacteria quickly colonised the new growth medium.
• The species colonised the remote islands over thousands of years.
• Many territories were colonised for their natural resources.