crown colony

noun

1. a British colony in which the crown has the entire control of legislation and administration, as distinguished from one having a constitution and representative government.

crown colony

noun

1. a British colony whose administration and legislature is controlled by the Crown

Word History and Origins

Origin of crown colony¹

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

"I found myself in a version of Dad's Army, in the company of white, middle-aged men as my fellow officers, who still considered India to be a crown colony on which they'll have continuing control for the foreseeable future."

From BBC

I introduced this drink to Hong Kong in 1941 and believe it did more than any other single factor, except perhaps the Japanese Army to precipitate the Fall of that Crown Colony.

From Salon

In 1846, the Treaty of Oregon established the 49th Parallel as the international boundary between America and the British Crown colony, exempting Vancouver Island.

From Seattle Times

Because Trinidad was still a crown colony at the time, my father actually entered Canada on a British passport.

From Salon

It was given to Edward VII on his 66th birthday by the government of the Transvaal - a former British crown colony - in what is now South Africa.

From BBC