Colon Meaning
/ˈkəʊ.lən/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe punctuation mark ⟨:⟩.
nounThe triangular colon (especially in context of not being able to type the actual triangular colon).
Sentence Examples
Bogdan Tanjević will resign because of colon cancer.
Bogdan Tanevich resigned because of colon cancer.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The doctor recommended a screening for the ____ to detect polyps early.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
In punctuation, a ____ is often used to introduce a list of items.
Word Origin & History
From Latin cōlon (“a member of a verse of poem”), from Ancient Greek κῶλον (kôlon, “a member, limb, clause, part of a verse”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"A colon tells the reader that what follows is closely related to the preceding clause."
— 2005, William Strunk Jr., E.B. White, The Elements of Style, Penguin Press, page 15:
"Colorectal cancer refers to colon cancer, which starts in the colon, and rectal cancer, which starts in the rectum."
— 2025 March 21, Katia Hetter, “Reduce your risk of colon and rectal cancer with these basic steps”, in CNN:
"The reaction of the European colons, a mixture of shock and fear, was to demand further draconian measures and to suspend any suggestion of new reforms."
— 1977, Alistair Horne, A Savage War of Peace, New York: Review Books, published 2006, page 28:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The doctor recommended a screening for the ____ to detect polyps early.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
In punctuation, a ____ is often used to introduce a list of items.