Filtered colimit in a category (${\mathrm{colim}}_{j\in J}D(j)$)

A filtered colimit in a category is a colimit whose indexing category is a small filtered category. In the Category of sets, filtered colimits commute with finite limits in sets. A filtered colimit of modules is an example of this general categorical construction.

For a diagram of abelian groups indexed by a nonempty directed poset, take the set colimit as classes $[i,x]$, where $[i,x]=[j,y]$ when their images agree at some common later index. Define $[i,x]+[j,y]=[k,D_{ik}x+D_{jk}y]$ at any common upper bound $k$. Directedness and functoriality prove independence of choices. Negation is $-[i,x]=[i,-x]$ and zero is the class of any zero. This is the unique group structure making the canonical maps homomorphisms, and every compatible group cocone factors by a unique homomorphism. Hence the forgetful functor creates these colimits, even when transition maps are not injective.