semicolon
noun
semi·co·lon ˈse-mē-ˌkō-lən 
ˈse-ˌmī-,
-mi-
: a punctuation mark; used chiefly in a coordinating function between major sentence elements (such as independent clauses of a compound sentence)
Did you know?
The semicolon was introduced into modern type by an Italian printer around 1566. But since it's actually the same symbol as the ancient Greek question mark, it's older than the colon (:), which first appears around 1450. Don't mix the two up. A colon introduces something: usually a list, sometimes a statement. A semicolon separates two independent but related clauses; it may also replace the comma to separate items in a complicated list.
Check out our guide on how and when to use semicolons.
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web In fact, Gottlieb and Caro had a long history of antagonism, squabbling over things large and small, including the semicolon. 
Mary Norris, The New Yorker, 30 June 2022 The shift from semicolon to parentheses has provoked public dissatisfaction. New York Times, 2 Apr. 2022 On his right arm is a semicolon, a common suicide awareness tattoo in the color teal for post-traumatic stress disorder awareness. Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2022 Pity the forlorn semicolon; battered by critics from every direction. Gary Gilson, Star Tribune, 26 June 2021 Changing a comma to a semicolon alters the meaning of death. Matthew J. Palm, orlandosentinel.com, 12 Sep. 2021 The semicolon represents the power and strength of living in your light, and this beautiful piece is a priceless reminder. Glamour, 21 May 2021 For two weeks, 196 countries had huddled in countless meetings, wrangling over dense pages of text, scrutinizing every semicolon. Fiona Harvey, Wired, 26 Dec. 2020 Using the tools provided, fans can put together a little woven mat, adorned with a white semicolon as a tribute to the album's name. Natalie Morin, refinery29.com, 23 Oct. 2020 See More
Mary Norris, The New Yorker, 30 June 2022 The shift from semicolon to parentheses has provoked public dissatisfaction. New York Times, 2 Apr. 2022 On his right arm is a semicolon, a common suicide awareness tattoo in the color teal for post-traumatic stress disorder awareness. Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2022 Pity the forlorn semicolon; battered by critics from every direction. Gary Gilson, Star Tribune, 26 June 2021 Changing a comma to a semicolon alters the meaning of death. Matthew J. Palm, orlandosentinel.com, 12 Sep. 2021 The semicolon represents the power and strength of living in your light, and this beautiful piece is a priceless reminder. Glamour, 21 May 2021 For two weeks, 196 countries had huddled in countless meetings, wrangling over dense pages of text, scrutinizing every semicolon. Fiona Harvey, Wired, 26 Dec. 2020 Using the tools provided, fans can put together a little woven mat, adorned with a white semicolon as a tribute to the album's name. Natalie Morin, refinery29.com, 23 Oct. 2020 See More Word History
First Known Use
1644, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
semicolon
noun
semi·co·lon ˈse-mi-ˌkō-lən
: a punctuation mark; that can be used to separate parts of a sentence which need clearer separation than would be shown by a comma, to separate main clauses which have no conjunction between, and to separate phrases and clauses containing commas