Columbian

Columbian is an English term with multiple senses and historical range. It is often used as an adjective related to Christopher Columbus or to the era that followed his voyages, appearing in phrases tied to early colonial history and exploration. The most well-known example is the Columbian Exchange, the broad transfer of crops, animals, people, and ideas between the Old and New Worlds after 1492.

In modern standard English, Columbian can also be a historical or variant spelling associated with Colombia, but the contemporary demonym for people from Colombia is Colombian. As a descriptor for the country, Columbian is generally considered archaic or stylistic today, and Colombian is preferred in most current writing.

The term has been used in naming and branding in the past, including historical newspapers and educational institutions, where the older spelling reflected earlier orthographic conventions. In present usage, Columbian is primarily encountered in historical contexts or when quoting older texts.

In summary, Columbian encompasses Columbus-related and historical usages, and historically links to Colombia in older spellings. For contemporary references to the nation, Colombian is the standard form, while Columbian remains chiefly a mark of older language or specific historical phrases such as the Columbian Exchange.