1. the process of a colony or colonized territory gaining independence from a colonial power
Usage: typically refers to 20th-century independence movements in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean
2. the removal or elimination of colonial influence, attitudes, or structures from a society, institution, or field of study
Usage: broader usage in academic and social contexts

Examples

• The decolonization of Africa in the 1960s led to the creation of dozens of new independent nations.
• India's decolonization from British rule was achieved through both political negotiation and civil resistance.
• Many universities are now examining decolonization of their curricula to include more diverse perspectives.
• The decolonization process in the Caribbean took place gradually over several decades.
• Scholars debate the long-term effects of rapid decolonization on newly independent states.
• Decolonization movements challenged the power structures established by European colonial empires.