What does decolonisation mean?
Decolonisation refers to the process by which a colony or territory frees itself from rule by an imperial or colonial power, gaining political independence and sovereignty. The term is most closely associated with the mid-twentieth century, when waves of independence movements swept across Asia and Africa, dismantling the great European empires and reshaping the global order. Beyond this historical sense, decolonisation has come to describe ongoing efforts to address the enduring legacies of colonialism — in education, language, institutions, and cultural attitudes. The word carries considerable political and moral resonance: it evokes liberation and self-determination for some, while for others it signals contested debates over history and identity. Derived from 'colony', with the prefix 'de-' indicating reversal, decolonisation names not merely an event but often a long, uneven process of undoing imperial control and its consequences.
nounThe process by which a colony or territory gains independence from the colonial power that governs it; more broadly, the undoing of colonial systems and their lasting political, economic, and cultural effects.
- The historical process by which colonies gain political independence from imperial powers, especially the wave of independence movements in Asia and Africa during the mid-20th century.
- The broader contemporary effort to dismantle colonial legacies in institutions, education, culture, and thought.
"The decolonisation of Africa accelerated dramatically during the 1960s as one nation after another declared independence."
"India's decolonisation in 1947 marked the beginning of the end for the British Empire."
"Universities have begun reviewing curricula as part of a wider movement toward the decolonisation of education."
Rarely used in the plural; the word is normally treated as an uncountable abstract noun referring to a general process. Plural forms appear occasionally when distinguishing separate national instances of independence.
"The twentieth century witnessed decolonisations across three continents within a single generation."
In a single year — 1960 — seventeen African nations gained independence, making it known as the 'Year of Africa' and marking the peak of a wave that redrew the world map.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of decolonisation
Decolonisation derives from the noun 'colony', ultimately from Latin 'colonia' meaning a settlement or farm, itself rooted in 'colonus' (farmer) and the verb 'colere' (to cultivate). The prefix 'de-', indicating reversal or removal, combines with 'colonisation' to form a word meaning the undoing of colonial rule. The term entered English usage in the nineteenth century but became widespread only after the Second World War, when large-scale imperial retreat made it a defining concept of the era.
Related word forms
How decolonisation is actually used
The spelling 'decolonisation' is standard British English; American English typically uses 'decolonization'. The term carries strong political and historical weight and is common in academic discourse. In recent decades its use has broadened beyond formal independence to include cultural and institutional reform, sometimes sparking debate about how far the term should stretch.
Easily confused with decolonisation
Colonisation is the act of establishing colonies and taking control of foreign territories, whereas decolonisation is the reverse — the process of ending colonial rule and achieving independence.