1. establishing control over and settling in a territory or country
Usage: present participle of colonize
2. spreading to and establishing a presence in a new area or environment
Usage: often used in biological or ecological contexts

Examples

• European powers spent centuries colonizing territories around the world.
• The bacteria are colonizing the patient’s digestive system.
• Invasive species are colonizing the wetlands at an alarming rate.
• The company is colonizing new markets in Asia.
• Coral polyps are slowly colonizing the artificial reef.
• Pioneer plants began colonizing the volcanic soil.
• The settlers were colonizing the western frontier.