decolonize

[dee-kol-uh-nahyz]

verb (used with object), de·col·o·nized, de·col·o·niz·ing.

to release from the status of a colony.
to allow (a colony) to become self-governing or independent.

verb (used without object), de·col·o·nized, de·col·o·niz·ing.

to free a colony to become self-governing or independent.

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

Examples from the Web for decolonize

Contemporary Examples of decolonize

Pakistan, born in the scrabble to decolonize after World War II, has suffered from endless American and British meddling.
Sixty Years of Meddling and Bad Blood
Alex Von Tunzelmann
December 4, 2008

British Dictionary definitions for decolonize

decolonize

decolonise

verb

(tr) to grant independence to (a colony)

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