colon

1
[ koh-luh n ]
/ ˈkoʊ lən /

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.

Origin of colon

1
1580–90; < Latin < Greek kôlon limb, member, clause

Definition for colon (2 of 5)

colon 2
[ koh-luh n ]
/ 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

2
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin < Greek kólon large intestine

Definition for colon (3 of 5)

colon 3
[ 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

3
1890–95; < American Spanish, after ( Cristobal) Colón (Christopher) Columbus

Definition for colon (4 of 5)

colon 4
[ koh-lon, kuh-lon ]
/ ˈkoʊ lɒn, kəˈlɒn /

noun

a colonial farmer or plantation owner, especially in Algeria.

Origin of colon

4
1600–10, in sense “husbandmen”; 1955–60 in present sense; < French < Latin colōnus colonist

Definition 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.

Example sentences from the Web for colon

British Dictionary definitions for colon (1 of 5)

colon 1
/ (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)

colon 2
/ (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)

colon 3
/ (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

Medical definitions for colon

colon
[ kōlən ]

n. pl. co•lons

The division of the large intestine extending from the cecum to the rectum.

Other words from colon

co•lonic (kə-lŏnĭk) adj.

Scientific definitions for colon

colon
[ kōlən ]

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.)