Dictionary
co•lo•ni•al•ism
Pronunciation: (ku-lō'nē-u-liz"um), [key]—
n.
1. the control or governing influence of a nation over a dependent country, territory, or people.
2. the system or policy by which a nation maintains or advocates such control or influence.
3. the state or condition of being colonial.
4. an idea, custom, or practice peculiar to a colony.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.