uint32 variable: 16; ?

[minifish]

typedef struct
{
uint32 variable: 16;
uint32 variable2: 8;
}new_type_s

Can someone please help me understand what the following means?
How many bit is the variable?
"uint32 variable: 16;"

[Peter87]

Look up bit fields.

[vlad from moscow]

You pointed out that you will use 16 bits.:)