Colon

/ˈkoʊ.lən/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A punctuation mark (:) used to precede a list, a quotation, or an explanation.

Make sure to include the following items: bread, milk, eggs, and cheese.

A part of the large intestine that connects the cecum to the rectum.

The doctor explained that the colon is responsible for absorbing water from indigestible food matter.

A unit of measure in typography, typically equal to 1/72 of an inch.

The text was arranged in two columns of six picas each, with a space of one colon between them.

In programming, a symbol used to denote a specific operation or separation in code.

In Python, you use a colon to indicate the start of an indented block following a control statement.

From Latin 'colon', meaning 'a part of a verse' or 'colon', and from Greek 'kolon' meaning 'limb'.

colon cancer

A type of cancer that occurs in the colon or rectum.

colon cleanse

A method for removing waste and toxins from the colon.

colonoscopy

A procedure to examine the inner lining of the colon.

rectum

The final section of the large intestine, where waste is stored before excretion.

intestine

A part of the digestive tract that includes the small intestine and large intestine.

punctuation

The use of spacing, conventional signs, and certain typographical devices to help clarify meaning in written text.

A term used in medical slang referring to bowel issues.

He's got a real colon issue, can't eat anything without running to the bathroom.

Sometimes used humorously to refer to someone being overly analytical.

He's such a colon guy, always parsing every little detail.