Capitol

[ kap-i-tl ]

/ ˈkæp ɪ tl /

SEE MORE 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.

RELATED WORDS

center, dome, statehouse

Origin of Capitol

1690–1700, Americanism; < Latin capitōlium temple of Jupiter on Capitoline hill, Rome, taken to be a derivative of caput head; replacing Middle English capitolie < Old North French

Can be confusedcapital Capitol (see usage note at capital¹)

Usage note

See capital¹.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for capitol

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
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
Katniss Everdeen has broken the Hunger Games and entered open war against the Capitol.
The Hunger Games Economy|Jedediah Purdy|November 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In our Capitol, Albany lawmakers enjoy a flood of money, personal accounts, and protection for incumbents against attacks.
Hunger Games Comes to New York State’s Public Schools|Zephyr Teachout|November 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Citizens must work to survive and make do with the limited resources afforded to them by the Capitol.
Hunger Games Comes to New York State’s Public Schools|Zephyr Teachout|November 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Leaving the Library we once more find ourselves upon the great esplanade east of the Capitol.
Great Cities of the United States|Gertrude Van Duyn Southworth
I want to see the Capitol, and must return at once to Washington to secure to you that liberty which you seem to prize so highly.
Our American Holidays: Lincoln's Birthday|Various
But of course Norman wouldn't come for her, after what he had said at the Capitol.
Mae Madden|Mary Murdoch Mason
Warwick Cary, an aide with him, came from the direction of the Capitol and joined his daughter and brother.
The Long Roll|Mary Johnston
This building, like the Capitol, was burnt in the British invasion of 1814 and afterwards restored.
America, Volume I (of 6)|Joel Cook

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

Word Origin and History for capitol

Capitol

"building where U.S. Congress meets," 1793 (in writings of Thomas Jefferson), from Latin Capitolium, temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus on the Capitoline Hill in ancient Rome. Used earlier of Virginia state houses (1699). Its use in American public architecture deliberately evokes Roman republican imagery. With reference to the Roman citadel, it is recorded in English from late 14c., via Old North French capitolie. Relationship of Capitoline to capital is likely but not certain.

Capitol

noun

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Origin of Capitol

Usage note

Examples from the Web for capitol

Capitol

noun

Word Origin for Capitol

Capitol