In general, the word colonial means "of or relating to a colony".

In United States history, the term Colonial is used to refer to the period before US independence. The term has also been applied to architecture dating from that period, characterized by a simple, rectangular frame and a sloped roof. See List of house styles.

In a similar way, in Latin American history the term refers to the period before independence from Spain.

In African history this term is used for the period between the advent of major European colonies and the independence of most African nations in the 1950s-70s.

The Colonial is also a PGA Tour golf tournament held annually in Fort Worth, Texas.