colon

colon — noun

1. the section of the bowel between the small intestine and the rectum, where the b

1.nounB2
Definition

the section of the bowel between the small intestine and the rectum, where the body draws water out of waste food

Example

The doctor told Priya that eating more fibre keeps her colon healthy.

collocation: colon health / keep colon healthy

A small growth was found in Tomás's colon during a routine check-up.

passive: was found in [sb]'s colon

Common collocations
  • colon cancer
  • colon health
  • colon problems
  • surgery on the colon
  • colonoscopy
Synonyms
  • large intestine

    broader term that includes both colon and rectum; used more in everyday speech

  • bowel

    less specific; refers to the whole intestinal tract, not just the colon

Antonyms
  • small intestine

    the upper part of the bowel where most nutrients are absorbed, located before the colon

Usage Note

Frequently appears in medical contexts with collocations like colon cancer, colonoscopy, and colon health. The plural form colons is rare in medical use.

Common Mistakes

The doctor checked his colonel.
The doctor checked his colon.
colonel is a military rank; colon is the body part.

2. the punctuation mark (:) that writers put before a list of items, a long quotati

2.nounB2
Definition

the punctuation mark (:) that writers put before a list of items, a long quotation, or an explanation that connects to the statement before it

Example

The teacher wrote on the board: 'Bring your notebook, pencil, and ruler tomorrow.'

punctuation: colon before a quotation

Yara learned that a colon works well before a list in formal essays.

punctuation: colon before a list

Common collocations
  • use a colon
  • colon before a list
  • after a colon
  • colon and semicolon

Usage Note

In British English, a colon is often followed by a lower-case letter unless it introduces a full sentence. In American English, a capital letter after a colon is common when introducing an independent clause.

Common Mistakes

I like many fruits; apples, bananas, and oranges.
I like many fruits: apples, bananas, and oranges.
a semicolon connects two full sentences; a colon introduces a list.

3. the official currency of Costa Rica, and the former currency of El Salvador befo

3.nounB1
Definition

the official currency of Costa Rica, and the former currency of El Salvador before it adopted the US dollar in 2001

Example

Diego paid forty colones for a fresh mango at the market in San José.

collocation: pay + [number] + colones

One colon in Costa Rica is divided into one hundred centimos.

Common collocations
  • Costa Rican colon
  • colones and centimos
  • pay in colones
  • colon exchange rate

Usage Note

The plural form is colones (not colons). The currency code for the Costa Rican colon is CRC. El Salvador adopted the US dollar in 2001 and no longer uses the colon.

Common Mistakes

The meal cost twenty colons.
The meal cost twenty colones.
the plural of this currency is colones, not colons, which refers to the body part or punctuation mark.

Word family

  • colonic
    adjectiveC1
  • colitis
    nounC1
  • colonoscopy
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

All four marks separate or connect parts of a sentence, but each does a different job. A colon (:) tells the reader that what follows explains, lists, or illustrates what came before — it creates a forward link. A semicolon (;) joins two complete sentences that are closely related, without a connecting word like 'and' or 'but'. A dash (—) adds an abrupt break or a strong afterthought, often more dramatic than a colon. A comma (,) is the lightest separator and cannot join two full sentences on its own. For example: 'I packed three items: a towel, a hat, and sunscreen.' (colon before list) vs. 'I packed a towel; my sister packed the sunscreen.' (semicolon between related sentences) vs. 'I packed everything — or so I thought.' (dash for a sudden turn).

colon ↗semicolondash ↗comma ↗

Common collocations

Prepositions

  • in the colon
  • of the colon
  • after a colon
  • before a colon

Etymology

GreekLatinEnglish

The word colon comes from the Greek word kōlon, meaning 'limb' or 'part of a sentence'. Ancient Greek writers used kōlon for a clause in a speech, and later Latin borrowed it as colon for both a rhetorical unit and the large intestine (a 'section' of the bowel). The punctuation mark (:) was first used in ancient times to show the end of such a clause. The currency sense comes from Cristóbal Colón — the Spanish name of Christopher Columbus — after whom Costa Rica and El Salvador named their money.