semicolon

[sem-i-koh-luh n]

noun

the punctuation mark (;) used to indicate a major division in a sentence where a more distinct separation is felt between clauses or items on a list than is indicated by a comma, as between the two clauses of a compound sentence.

Origin of semicolon

First recorded in 1635–45; semi- + colon¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for semicolon

Contemporary Examples of semicolon

I point out the phrase “more distinct separation,” and I suggest that the purpose of the semicolon is at least in part rhythmic.
Donald E. Westlake Defends the Semicolon
Donald E. Westlake
October 25, 2014
The new material contains a semicolon; it has orders to call me if anybody gives it any trouble.
Donald E. Westlake Defends the Semicolon
Donald E. Westlake
October 25, 2014

Historical Examples of semicolon

When as introduces an example, it is preceded by a semicolon.
The Verbalist
Thomas Embly Osmun, (AKA Alfred Ayres)
In the first sentence the semicolon enables us to group the objects enumerated.
"Stops"
Paul Allardyce
The semicolon, for instance, is the Greek mark of interrogation.
Punctuation
Frederick W. Hamilton
Both the colon and semicolon are much less used now than formerly.
Punctuation
Frederick W. Hamilton
The same is true when a colon is used within a group made by a semicolon.
Why We Punctuate
William Livingston Klein

British Dictionary definitions for semicolon

semicolon

noun

the punctuation mark (;) used to indicate a pause intermediate in value or length between that of a comma and that of a full stop

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

Word Origin and History for semicolon

punctuation-mark, 1640s, a hybrid coined from Latin-derived semi- + Greek-based colon (n.1). The mark itself was in Greek the point of interrogation.

semicolon in Culture

semicolon

A punctuation mark (;) used to join two independent clauses in a sentence. The semicolon shows that the ideas in the two clauses are related: “Jack really didn't mind being left without a car; he had the house to himself.”