Definitions

1. noun

A note or inscription, often with a date and the names of the people involved, that is added to the end of a book, a manuscript, or a printed work.

“The colophon at the end of the novel revealed the name of the real-life town that inspired the fictional setting.”

2. noun

A label or a phrase that is used to describe or identify a particular type of software, especially a piece of free and open-source software.

“The colophon of the Linux operating system highlighted its open-source nature and the community that supported it.”

3. noun

A written statement or inscription, often with a humorous or ironic tone, that is added to the end of a document or a piece of writing.

“The author’s colophon at the end of the essay poked fun at the seriousness of academic writing.”