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decolonize

[dee-kol-uh-nahyz]
verb (used with object), de·col·o·nized, de·col·o·niz·ing.
  1. to release from the status of a colony.
  2. to allow (a colony) to become self-governing or independent.
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verb (used without object), de·col·o·nized, de·col·o·niz·ing.
  1. to free a colony to become self-governing or independent.
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Also especially British, de·col·o·nise.

Origin of decolonize

de- + colonize
Related formsde·col·o·ni·za·tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

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British Dictionary definitions for decolonize

decolonize

decolonise

verb
  1. (tr) to grant independence to (a colony)
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Derived Formsdecolonization or decolonisation, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012