1. a country or area under the full or partial political control of another country, typically a distant one, and occupied by settlers from that country
2. a group of people of one nationality or ethnic group living in a foreign city or country
3. a place where a group of people with a shared interest or occupation live together

Examples

• The thirteen American colonies declared independence from Britain in 1776.
• Australia was originally established as a British penal colony.
• There’s a large artist colony in that part of the city.
• The Italian colony in New York maintained strong cultural traditions.
• Scientists studied the ant colony’s complex social structure.
• A colony of seals gathered on the rocky shore.
• The retirement colony offered many activities for seniors.