Capitol

American  

[kap-i-tl] / ˈkæp ɪ tl /

noun

1. the building in Washington, D.C., used by the Congress of the U.S. for its sessions.

2. (often lowercase) a building occupied by a state legislature.

3. the ancient temple of Jupiter at Rome, on the Capitoline.

4. the Capitoline.

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Capitol British  

/ ˈkæpɪtəl /

noun

1. 1. another name for the Capitoline

   2. the temple on the Capitoline

2. the main building of the US Congress

3. Also called: statehouse.  (sometimes not capital) (in the US) the building housing any state legislature

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Commonly Confused

See capital ¹.

Etymology

Origin of Capitol

An Americanism first recorded in 1690–1700; from Latin capitōlium, the name of the temple of Jupiter on Capitoline hill, Rome, taken to be a derivative of caput “head”; replacing Middle English capitolie, from Old North French

Example Sentences

They make introductions to defense companies, scrutinize business deals with foreign partners to make sure they won’t raise flags with the Pentagon, and give advice about whom to meet on Capitol Hill.

From The Wall Street Journal

He turns and gives her a smile after delivering that line inside the Capitol rotunda.

From The Wall Street Journal

It will probably conclude by the middle of next week, said Tobin Marcus, head of policy and politics at Wolfe Research, after a potential breakthrough Thursday on Capitol Hill.

From MarketWatch

At least every two months, the executive ditches his usual T-shirt and black jacket for suited visits to Capitol Hill.

From The Wall Street Journal

A teaser for the documentary released in December showed the former model looking to the camera just before her husband's second swearing-in at the US Capitol and saying: "Here we go again."

From Barron's