colon: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal (punctuation); Academic/Specialist (anatomy).
Quick answer
What does “colon” mean?
A punctuation mark (:) used to introduce a list, explanation, quotation, or result.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A punctuation mark (:) used to introduce a list, explanation, quotation, or result.
The main part of the large intestine in anatomy; a subdivision of a written work, such as a book or poem; a grammatical term in classical prosody.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. British English may be slightly more tolerant of using a colon to introduce direct speech, where American prefers a comma.
Connotations
Neutral in both technical contexts. The punctuation mark is standard; the anatomical term is clinical.
Frequency
Both senses are common in their respective domains. The punctuation sense is encountered much more frequently in general writing.
Grammar
How to Use “colon” in a Sentence
[Subject] used a colon to [introduce something].The surgeon removed part of [Patient's] colon.The clause preceding the colon must be independent.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “colon” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in reports to introduce lists or summaries (e.g., 'The key findings are as follows:').
Academic
Common in writing to introduce examples, explanations, or block quotations; also a central term in anatomy/medicine.
Everyday
Primarily the punctuation mark, used in emails, lists, and informal writing.
Technical
Specific anatomical term in medicine and biology; term in printing and typography.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “colon”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “colon”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “colon”
- Using a colon after a sentence fragment (e.g., 'Such as:').
- Confusing the anatomical colon with the small intestine.
- Misspelling as 'colin' or 'collon'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In British English, the word following a colon is usually lowercase unless it's a proper noun or a complete sentence. In American English, if what follows the colon is a complete sentence, it is often capitalized.
The colon is the longest part of the large intestine, specifically responsible for absorbing water and salts from solid waste. The large intestine includes the colon and the rectum.
No, it is generally incorrect. 'For example' and 'such as' are already introducing the list, so a colon is redundant (e.g., 'Buy fruit such as apples and bananas' is correct).
It's a coincidence of language history. 'Colon' as punctuation comes from Greek 'kōlon' meaning a clause or limb. The anatomical term comes from Greek 'kolon' meaning large intestine. They merged into the same spelling in English.
A punctuation mark (:) used to introduce a list, explanation, quotation, or result.
Colon is usually formal (punctuation); academic/specialist (anatomy). in register.
Colon: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkəʊ.lɒn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkoʊ.lən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “n/a”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A COLON is a COLUMN introducer: it stands tall before a list or quote. For anatomy, remember your COLON is a long tube.
Conceptual Metaphor
PUNCTUATION: A colon is a gatekeeper or herald, announcing what is to come. ANATOMY: The colon is a processing plant or pipeline for waste.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'colon' used to refer to a part of the digestive system?