What is colonist definition?

Colonists are individuals or groups who migrate to a new land or territory and establish a new community with the intent to settle and develop the area. Historically, colonization often involved the use of force, and colonizers often displaced or subjugated indigenous peoples. Colonization can also involve economic or political control over the colonized territory, and often led to the exploitation of resources and labor. The term colonist is typically used to describe Europeans who settled in the Americas, Africa, Asia, or the Pacific Islands during the 16th to 20th centuries.