decolonization

• decolonisation

de- +‎ colonization

• (UK) IPA^(key): /diːˌkɒl.ə.naɪˈzeɪ.ʃən/

decolonization (countable and uncountable, plural decolonizations)

1. The freeing of a colony etc from dependent status by granting it independence.
2. (social sciences) The reverse of colonization, i.e. granting back autonomy to a group.
   • 2019, Nalini Mohabir, “Renaming the Cook Islands would be a vital step towards true independence”, in Guardian.:

     But what does decolonisation have to do with place names? Place names are the meeting points of history and geography that shape part of our identities.

3. (medicine) The elimination of a colony of pathogens from the body of a patient, especially antibiotic-resistant pathogens.

• (reverse of colonization):: decolonialization

• decolonize