Colony: Definition, Historical Examples, and TV Facts

The word “colony” can refer to a territory under foreign rule or a sci‑fi drama about alien occupation. This article separates the two, drawing on verified definitions, historical examples, and facts about the TV series.

Colony definition (Merriam-Webster): area over which a foreign nation extends control ·
Colony TV series seasons: 3 (2016‑2018) ·
IMDb rating: 7.4/10

Six key facts about the word and the show provide a quick reference.

What do you mean by colony?

Definition from Merriam-Webster

• A colony is “an area over which a foreign nation or state extends or maintains control” (Merriam-Webster).
• This definition covers both historical empires and modern dependencies.

The implication: The term is precise—control, not mere influence—which is why colonies often involved military occupation or settler displacement.

Historical context of colonies

• Colonies were often established for economic gain: extracting precious metals, timber, furs, and other resources (Britannica Kids).
• Colonialism frequently harmed indigenous peoples through forced relocation and cultural erasure (Britannica Kids).
• Examples span every continent: British America, French India, Portuguese Brazil, and many more.

Modern usage of the term colony

• In biology, a colony is a group of the same species living together (ant colony, coral colony) (Wikipedia – Colony (biology)).
• In sociology, the word is used metaphorically for human settlements or communities of expatriates.

The trade-off: The word’s flexibility can confuse—historical weight vs. neutral biological usage—but context always clarifies.

What are 5 examples of colonies?

• Jamestown (Virginia, 1607): The first permanent English colony in the Americas (Wikipedia).
• Quebec (French colony): Established in 1608 as a fur‑trading post (Wikipedia).
• Brazil (Portuguese colony): Claimed by Portugal in 1500, independent in 1822 (Wikipedia).
• Mexico (Spanish colony): New Spain lasted from 1521 to 1821 (Wikipedia).
• India (British colony): The British Raj governed from 1858 to 1947 (Wikipedia).

The pattern: European powers extracted resources and reshaped societies across these territories—each case left a distinct legacy of language, law, and population movement.

Why did Colony end so abruptly?

Cancellation by USA Network

• Colony was cancelled after three seasons on July 20, 2018 (Deadline).
• The network cited declining viewership: season 3 averaged under 500,000 live viewers (Variety).
• No official statement detailed the full decision-making process, leaving the reason “declining ratings” as the primary known factor.

Season 3 finale recap

• The season 3 finale aired on May 10, 2018 (Entertainment Weekly).
• It ended with cliffhangers: the resistance’s fate and the alien Hosts’ plans remain unresolved.

No season 4 confirmed

• USA Network never ordered a fourth season, and no revival on another platform has been announced (Deadline).
• Co‑creator Carlton Cuse has expressed disappointment but no active revival plans.

Critical reception and watchability

• Colony holds a 74% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 75% audience rating.
• IMDb users rate it 7.3/10 based on over 50,000 votes (IMDb).
• Pros: strong performances by Josh Holloway and Sarah Wayne Callies, an engaging dystopian premise. Cons: pacing issues in later seasons and an unresolved ending.

Why this matters: For viewers who prioritize character development over closure, Colony delivers three solid seasons. For those who need a complete story arc, the abrupt cancellation is a deal‑breaker.

Is the Colony series worth watching?

The verdict: If you can accept an unfinished story, the three seasons offer compelling character drama. If you need closure, look elsewhere.

Do we ever see the aliens in Colony?

The Hosts in the series

• The alien Hosts are rarely shown directly; they communicate through human proxies.
• Their appearance is deliberately kept ambiguous to emphasise the occupation’s psychological impact.
• Later seasons offer limited glimpses, but the focus remains on the human resistance.

The pattern: The series prioritises the human drama of collaboration and survival over alien spectacle.

What is another word for colony?

Synonyms for political colony

• Settlement, territory, dependency, dominion, protectorate.
• In historical contexts, “plantation” (e.g., Jamestown) was sometimes used.

Related terms in biology

• Ant colony, bee colony, coral colony – all refer to groups of the same species living cooperatively.

“In the near future, a family must make difficult decisions as they balance staying together while surviving an alien occupation.”

— IMDb plot summary

“An area over which a foreign nation or state extends or maintains control.”

— Merriam-Webster

For readers seeking clarity on the word “colony,” the split between history and entertainment is clean: historical colonies shaped global power structures over centuries, while the TV series Colony offered a fictional take on occupation that ended unresolved. For streaming subscribers who enjoy well‑acted dystopian drama, the series is worth a look — just be prepared for a story without a finale. For those who need closure, the choice is clear: skip it and try What Is Good to Watch? Best Streaming Shows & Movies or The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996): Is It Worth Watching? instead.

For a striking natural example of a colony, the Cape Kidnappers gannet colony in New Zealand offers a breathtaking spectacle of thousands of seabirds nesting on coastal cliffs.

Frequently asked questions