[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/colon/)

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# colon

noun (a colon, colons)

«colon» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A colon is the punctuation mark (:) that introduces a list, an explanation or an example: «You will need: a pen, a ruler and glue». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/colon/#m1)
2. The colon is the main part of the large intestine (large bowel), the tube in the body where water is taken out of food waste. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/colon/#m2)
3. In maths and times, a colon separates numbers: in ratios (2:3) and in clock times (7:30). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/colon/#m3)
4. The colon is the money of Costa Rica (colón). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/colon/#m4)

### In the lessons

In English grammar lessons, pupils use colons before lists, before an explanation, and in play scripts after a character's name. In science and health lessons, the colon is part of the digestive system after the small intestine. In maths, the colon in 3:2 is read «three to two» for a ratio. Phrases: «use a colon», «colon before a list», «the large intestine (colon)».

### Examples

- Put a colon before the list. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/colon/#x1)
- Bring three things: a hat, a drink and sun cream. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/colon/#x2)
- The colon is part of the large intestine. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/colon/#x3)
- The ratio of boys to girls is 3:4. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/colon/#x4)
- School starts at 8:45. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/colon/#x5)
- In a play script, write a colon after the name: «Tom: Hello!» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/colon/#x6)

### Note

Countable. Not the same as a semicolon (;), which joins two linked sentences. In ratio problems, 2:3 means for every 2 of the first there are 3 of the second, so 5 parts in total. Do not confuse with «colonel» (an army officer) or «colony».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «colon» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/colon/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«colon» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/colon.html) on Mova free.