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

The Edgewater Hotel – Right on Lake Mendota near Capitol Square, this comfortable, elegant hotel makes the most of its setting.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026

Brandon Fellows, who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, had traveled to the conference to sell imitation Immigration and Customs Enforcement uniforms as costumes.

From Slate • Mar. 27, 2026

In addition, it’s the last day that Congress is due to be in session on Capitol Hill before a two-week break.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026

House Speaker Mike Johnson echoed the White House's confidence when he told reporters on Capitol Hill he thinks the US is "wrapping up" the military operation.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

He vomited when he turned a corner and saw the construction site of the Capitol, emptying his guts from either a bad oyster or the hugeness of the thing stirring rebellion in his very being.

From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead