What does COLON mean?

Colon

A colon is a noun and is pronounced "koh-luhn" in US English and "koh-lon" in UK English.

Definition

A colon is a punctuation mark consisting of two dots, one above the other. It is used to introduce a list, an explanation, or a quotation.

Origin and Usage

The word "colon" comes from the Greek word "kolon," meaning "limb" or "member." The use of the colon as a punctuation mark dates back to ancient Greece and Rome, where it was used to separate clauses and phrases.

In modern usage, the colon is commonly used to introduce a list or a quotation, and it can also be used to separate clauses in a sentence.

Synonyms

There are no synonyms for the word "colon" as it is a unique punctuation mark.

Related Words

Related 5 letter words include colonel, colony, and color.

Example Sentences

• The colon is used to introduce a list, as in: "She bought three things at the store: bread, milk, and eggs."
• The colon is used to introduce an explanation, as in: "He had only one thing on his mind: revenge."
• The colon is used to introduce a quotation, as in: "As Shakespeare wrote: All the worlds a stage."