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

In St. Paul, police plan for 300 law-enforcement officers from local and state agencies to provide public safety services near the Minnesota state Capitol, including for several road closures in the area.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

He said he’s now speaking up — including on Capitol Hill — to help keep others from going through the same.

From Salon

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

Previously, she worked at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in Little Rock, Ark., covering business and reporting from the state Capitol.

From The Wall Street Journal