colonizar

Senses

1. 1.

   to colonize

   to establish a colony or colonies in a territory

2. 2.

   to settle

   to populate or establish settlements in a previously uninhabited or undeveloped area

3. 3.

   to dominate

   to exert political, economic, or cultural control over a region or people

Examples

• "Portugal colonizou o Brasil no século XVI."

  Portugal colonized Brazil in the 16th century.

• "Os imigrantes ajudaram a colonizar o sul do país."

  The immigrants helped settle the south of the country.

• "A empresa está tentando colonizar novos mercados na América Latina."

  The company is trying to dominate new markets in Latin America.

Usage

Common in historical and political contexts discussing European colonization. Often used with direct objects like "território," "região," or "país." The noun forms are "colonização" (colonization) and "colonizador/a" (colonizer).