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 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

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

From Salon • Mar. 26, 2026

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 • Mar. 24, 2026

For some time, there have been Capitol whispers that Florida Rep. Neal Dunn might leave Congress before his term wraps up, but the reason remained unclear.

From Slate • Mar. 21, 2026

The Plumbers were set to strike again on May 3, when Ellsberg was scheduled to appear at a Vietnam War protest at the Capitol Building.

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin