Capitol

[kap-i-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.

Capitol

/ 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

Confusables Note

See capital ¹.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Capitol¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Capitol¹

C14: from Latin Capitōlium, from caput head

Example Sentences

The resounding vote in favour of the Epstein bill, 427-1, marks a rare moment of bipartisanship on Capitol Hill.

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Such is the burden of a new U.S. intelligence finding that is circulating on Capitol Hill.

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Receiving an honorary degree from Capitol College in Maryland.

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He threatened last week to sue the BBC for up to $5 billion over a misleading edit to the speech he delivered before the January 6, 2021 assault by his supporters on the US Capitol.

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Massie wrote on social media this month, “Capitol Police turned CIA orchestrated the pipe bombs on January 6th, and the FBI has covered it up.”

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