Capitol

[ kap-i-tl ]

/ ˈkæp ɪ tl /

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See synonyms for Capitol on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

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

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

the Capitoline.

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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

words often confused with Capitol

See capital¹.

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH Capitol

capital, Capitol (see confusables note at capital¹)

Words nearby Capitol

capitate, capitate bone, capitation, capitellum, capitium, Capitol, Capitol Hill, Capitoline, Capitol Peak, Capitol Reef National Park, Capitol, United States

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use Capitol in a sentence

The fallout from last week’s dramatic end of the legislative session is still going – and it’s led to plenty of demand for lawmakers to return to the Capitol to tend to the work that got left on the table.
Sacramento Report: Bipartisan Support for a Special Session|Sara Libby|September 11, 2020|Voice of San Diego
Rendon caught intense criticism after it was revealed that Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks was forced to bring her infant daughter into the Capitol with her to vote after Rendon denied her request to vote by proxy.
Morning Report: Downtown Jail Outbreak Goes From Bad to Worse|Voice of San Diego|September 11, 2020|Voice of San Diego
Sykes has also faced other distinct challenges as a woman of color, from death threats against her father to having security guards stop her from entering the state Capitol because she “doesn’t look like a legislator,” among other affronts.
Can This Millennial Power Broker Lead an Ohio Comeback for Democrats?|Nick Fouriezos|September 10, 2020|Ozy
She ended up bringing her infant into the Capitol to vote in person – a stark image on its own, but one made even more stunning when contrasted with the Republicans who were allowed to vote from home.
Sacramento Report: 3 Takeaways From a Wild Legislative Session|Sara Libby|September 4, 2020|Voice of San Diego

It is roughly three miles southwest of the Florida’s Capitol.
Tony McDade case leaves many unanswered questions|Michael K. Lavers|September 4, 2020|Washington Blade
Excerpted from Capitol Men: The Epic Story of Reconstruction Through the Lives of the First Black Congressmen by Philip Dray.
The Black Man Who Replaced Jefferson Davis in the Senate|Philip Dray|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
So not only will the GOP have control in the Senate, it will move the center of gravity on Capitol Hill hard to starboard.
The Democrats’ Black Hole—and What They Can Do About It|Michael Tomasky|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Tool around Capitol Hill, which brims gay bars, restaurants, and clubs.
The Ultimate LGBT Travel Bucket List||December 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the meantime, just as the bill passed its first hurdle, snow flakes started to fall down on the Capitol.
Quirky Reindeer Farmer Keeps Government Open for Christmas|Ben Jacobs|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Satanic Temple won a battle to put a display in the Florida state capitol, but the religious right is fighting a bigger war.
In Florida, ’Tis The Season for Satan|Jay Michaelson|December 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Steed”—Jefferson rode on horseback to the Capitol to take his oath of office as President.
Assimilative Memory|Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)
As Matt hurried out of the capitol building he found Clip at the curb, waiting for him.
Motor Matt's "Century" Run|Stanley R. Matthews
Immediately the British flag was lowered from the Capitol at Williamsburg and the colonial colors were raised instead.
Hallowed Heritage: The Life of Virginia|Dorothy M. Torpey
The sun has risen, a large ball of deep red, pouring a flood of gold upon the Capitol.
Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist|Alexander Berkman
It was half-past five that afternoon when the Comet came to a halt at the steps of the capitol building.
Motor Matt's "Century" Run|Stanley R. Matthews

British Dictionary definitions for Capitol

Capitol

/ (ˈkæpɪtəl) /

noun

another name for the Capitoline
the temple on the Capitoline

the Capitol the main building of the US Congress

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

Word Origin for Capitol

C14: from Latin Capitōlium, from caput head

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012