A "Crown colony" was a form of colonial administration that was once prevalent in many parts of the world. The term referred to a territory that was directly governed by the British monarch through an appointed governor. Today, the term "Crown colony" is considered outdated and has been replaced with more modern terms such as "overseas territory" or "dependent territory". Other synonyms for "Crown colony" include "British colony", "colonial possession", "protectorate", and "dependent state". Despite the shift away from the term, the legacy of Crown colonies still has a significant impact on many parts of the globe.