1
a
: of or relating to a colony
colonial possessions/administration
a colonial city
b
: owning or made up of colonies
The country was a colonial power.
a colonial nation and its colonial empire
2
or Colonial
: of or relating to the original 13 colonies forming the United States
The book describes life in Colonial America.
an example of colonial architecture/furniture
The port had been very important in colonial times.
3
: in a style that was popular in the U.S. during the American colonial period (before 1776)
They live in a colonial (style) house.
plural colonials
1
or Colonial
: a two-story house built in a style that was first popular in the U.S. during the American colonial period (before 1776)
They bought a Colonial on a quiet street.
2
: a person who is part of a colony : colonist
The higher taxes caused increasing tension between colonials and the mother country.
Cite this Entry
“Colonial.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/colonial. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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