· colonialism occurs when people from one country settle in another country to exploit its people and natural resources. Having the status of a colony. The higher taxes caused increasing tension between colonials … They bought a colonial on a quiet street. Relating to a colony or colonialism: The meaning of colonial is of, relating to, or characteristic of a colony : Colonial furniture or buildings are in the style of a…. They live in a colonial (style) house. Colonialism is etymologically derived from the latin term colonia, originally a designation for a type of city or outpost that was founded and … How to use colonial in a sentence.