colon

[ koh-luhn ]

/ ˈkoʊ lən /

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noun, plural co·lons for 1, co·la

[koh-luh] /ˈkoʊ lə/ for 2.

the sign (:) used to mark a major division in a sentence, to indicate that what follows is an elaboration, summation, implication, etc., of what precedes; or to separate groups of numbers referring to different things, as hours from minutes in 5:30; or the members of a ratio or proportion, as in 1 : 2 = 3 : 6.

Classical Prosody. one of the members or sections of a rhythmical period, consisting of a sequence of from two to six feet united under a principal ictus or beat.

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of colon

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin cōlon, from Greek kôlon “limb; part of a clause or period”

Words nearby colon

Colombes, Colombia, Colombian, Colombian gold, Colombo, colon, colon bacillus, colonel, Colonel Blimp, colonelcy, colonia

Other definitions for colon (2 of 5)

colon²

[ koh-luhn ]

/ ˈkoʊ lən /

noun, plural co·lons, co·la

[koh-luh]. /ˈkoʊ lə/.

Anatomy. the part of the large intestine extending from the cecum to the rectum.

Zoology. the portion of the digestive tract that is posterior to the stomach or gizzard and extends to the rectum.

Origin of colon

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin, from Greek kólon “large intestine”

Other definitions for colon (3 of 5)

colon³

[ koh-lohn; Spanish kaw-lawn ]

/ koʊˈloʊn; Spanish kɔˈlɔn /

noun, plural co·lons, Spanish co·lo·nes

[kaw-law-nes]. /kɔˈlɔ nɛs/.

the paper monetary unit of El Salvador, equal to 100 centavos. Abbreviation: C.

a cupronickel or steel coin and monetary unit of Costa Rica, equal to 100 centimos.

Origin of colon

First recorded in 1890–95; from Latin American Spanish, after (Cristobal) Colón “(Christopher) Columbus”

Other definitions for colon (4 of 5)

colon⁴

[ koh-lon, kuh-lon ]

/ ˈkoʊ lɒn, kəˈlɒn /

noun

a colonial farmer or plantation owner, especially in Algeria.

Origin of colon

⁴

First recorded in 1600–10, in earlier sense “husbandman”; 1955–60 in present sense; from French, from Latin colōnus “colonist, farmer, tenant farmer”

Other definitions for colon (5 of 5)

Colón

[ koh-lon; Spanish kaw-lawn ]

/ koʊˈlɒn; Spanish kɔˈlɔn /

noun

a seaport in Panama at the Atlantic end of the Panama Canal.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use colon in a sentence

Two of Andrea’s other relatives, a retired grocery store owner named Tony Bowdoin and car bumper repairman named Mike Pless, were diagnosed shortly thereafter with colon and throat cancer, respectively.
The Coal Plant Next Door|by Max Blau for Georgia Health News|March 22, 2021|ProPublica
Colón’s endearingly goofy parents huddle over a pile of OTC painkiller bottles and cleaning products, taking inventory.
HBO’s COVID Diaries NYC Is a Bracing, Authentic Antidote to Fluffy Quarantine TV|Judy Berman|March 9, 2021|Time
Despite the importance of estate planning, Boseman never put one in place before succumbing to a four-year battle with colon cancer.
Chadwick Boseman’s Wife Files Probate Case After Actor Passes Away Without A Will|Rachaell Davis|October 16, 2020|Essence.com
The pair started dating before Boseman was diagnosed with colon cancer four years ago, and reportedly got engaged last year.
Chadwick Boseman’s Wife Files Probate Case After Actor Passes Away Without A Will|Rachaell Davis|October 16, 2020|Essence.com

Ginsburg’s health issues became public in 1999, six years after her appointment to the Supreme Court, when she had surgery for early-stage colon cancer.
How Cancer Shaped Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's Life and Work|Jamie Ducharme|September 19, 2020|Time
The bacteria in your colon thrive on nondigestible fiber, also known as prebiotics.
How to Choose the Right Probiotic for You|DailyBurn|May 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In 1993, about a year before Retsky received his colon cancer diagnosis, he attended a breast cancer conference in Europe.
How Big Pharma Holds Back in the War on Cancer|ProPublica|April 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The tumor in his colon had spread to four of his lymph nodes and penetrated the bowel wall.
How Big Pharma Holds Back in the War on Cancer|ProPublica|April 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But in his late 20s, his mother became very sick from colon cancer and said to him, “When am I going to see you on TV?”
Inside Beacher's Madhouse, L.A.'s Craziest Nightclub|Marlow Stern|June 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In Dec. 1997, a short time after giving birth to Angelica, Taylor-Wood was diagnosed with colon cancer, which she beat.
Meet ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ Director Sam Taylor-Johnson: The Cancer-Surviving Badass|Marlow Stern|June 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The great majority belong to the colon bacillus group, and are negative to Gram's method of staining.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
The staphylococcus, bacillus of Friedlnder, colon bacillus, and Bacillus pyocyaneus may be met in chronic middle-ear disease.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
The Cristobal Colon would have a bad time if the two ships came to close quarters.
Young Glory and the Spanish Cruiser|Walter Fenton Mott
Then the Brooklyn tried her eight-inch guns, and sent a shell through the Colon's side, above her belt of steel.
Stories of Our Naval Heroes|Various
His ccum has a vermicular appendix, which is not the case in any other ape, nor is the neck of the colon so long as in the latter.
Buffon's Natural History. Volume IX (of 10)|Georges Louis Leclerc de Buffon

British Dictionary definitions for colon (1 of 5)

colon¹

/ (ˈkəʊlən) /

noun

plural -lons the punctuation mark :, usually preceding an explanation or an example of what has gone before, a list, or an extended quotation

plural -lons this mark used for certain other purposes, such as expressions of time, as in 2:45 p.m., or when a ratio is given in figures, as in 5:3

plural -la (-lə) (in classical prosody) a part of a rhythmic period with two to six feet and one principal accent or ictus

Word Origin for colon

C16: from Latin, from Greek kōlon limb, hence part of a strophe, clause of a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for colon (2 of 5)

colon²

/ (ˈkəʊlən) /

noun plural -lons or -la (-lə)

the part of the large intestine between the caecum and the rectum

Word Origin for colon

C16: from Latin: large intestine, from Greek kolon

British Dictionary definitions for colon (3 of 5)

colon³

/ (kəˈlɒn, French kɔlɔ̃) /

noun

a colonial farmer or plantation owner, esp in a French colony

Word Origin for colon

French: colonist, from Latin colōnus, from colere to till, inhabit

British Dictionary definitions for colon (4 of 5)

colón

/ (kəʊˈləʊn, Spanish koˈlon) /

noun plural -lons or -lones (Spanish -ˈlones)

the standard monetary unit of Costa Rica, divided into 100 céntimos

the former standard monetary unit of El Salvador, divided into 100 centavos; replaced by the US dollar in 2001

Word Origin for colón

C19: American Spanish, from Spanish, after Cristóbal Colón Christopher Columbus

British Dictionary definitions for colon (5 of 5)

Colón

/ (kɒˈlɒn, Spanish koˈlɔn) /

noun

a port in Panama, at the Caribbean entrance to the Panama Canal. Chief Caribbean port. Pop: 157 000 (2005 est)Former name: Aspinwall

Archipiélago de Colón (ˌartʃiˈpjelaɣo ðe) the official name of the Galápagos Islands

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for colon

colon

[ kō′lən ]

The longest part of the large intestine, extending from the cecum to the rectum. Water and electrolytes are absorbed, solidified, and prepared for elimination as feces in the colon. The colon also contains bacteria that help in the body's absorption of nutrients from digested material.

Cultural definitions for colon (1 of 2)

colon

A punctuation mark (:) used to introduce a description, an explanation, or a list. For example, “She would own only one kind of pet: a Siamese cat” and “The little boy announced that he wanted the following for his birthday: two sweaters, a new tent, and three toy cars.”

Cultural definitions for colon (2 of 2)

colon

The middle and longest part of the large intestine. (See digestive system.)