semicolon

[ sem-i-koh-luh n ]
/ ˈsɛm ɪˌkoʊ lən /

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

Words nearby semicolon

semicircle, semicircular canal, semicircular duct, semicivilized, semiclassical, semicolon, semicoma, semiconducting, semiconductor, semiconductor diode, semiconductor laser

Example sentences from the Web for semicolon

British Dictionary definitions for semicolon

semicolon
/ (ˌsɛmɪˈkəʊlən) /

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

Cultural definitions for semicolon

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.”