capsule

American  

[kap-suhl, -sool, -syool] / ˈkæp səl, -sul, -sjul /

noun

• capsules
  plural

1. Pharmacology. a gelatinous case enclosing a dose of medicine.

2. Biology.

   1. a membranous sac or integument.

   2. either of two strata of white matter in the cerebrum.

   3. the sporangium of various spore-producing organisms, such as ferns, mosses, algae, and fungi.

3. Botany. a dry dehiscent fruit, composed of two or more carpels.

4. a small case, envelope, or covering.

5. Also called space capsule.  Aerospace. a sealed cabin, container, or vehicle in which a person or animal can ride in flight in space or at very high altitudes within the earth's atmosphere.

6. Aviation. a similar cabin in a military aircraft, which can be ejected from the aircraft in an emergency.

7. a thin metal covering for the mouth of a corked bottle.

8. a concise report; brief outline.

   An appendix to the book contains biographical capsules of the contributors.

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verb (used with object)

capsuled, capsuling

1. to furnish with or enclose in or as if in a capsule; encapsulate.

2. to capsulize.

adjective

1. small and compact.

2. short and concise; brief and summarized.

   a capsule report.

3. containing only the most essential and versatile items of a particular kind.

   capsule wardrobe;

   capsule pantry.

capsule British  

/ ˈkæpsjuːl /

noun

1. a soluble case of gelatine enclosing a dose of medicine

2. a thin metal cap, seal, or cover, such as the foil covering the cork of a wine bottle

3. botany

   1. a dry fruit that liberates its seeds by splitting, as in the violet, or through pores, as in the poppy

   2. the spore-producing organ of mosses and liverworts

4. bacteriol a gelatinous layer of polysaccharide or protein surrounding the cell wall of some bacteria: thought to be responsible for the virulence in pathogens

5. anatomy

   1. a cartilaginous, fibrous, or membranous envelope surrounding any of certain organs or parts

   2. a broad band of white fibres ( internal capsule ) near the thalamus in each cerebral hemisphere

6. See space capsule

7. an aeroplane cockpit that can be ejected in a flight emergency, complete with crew, instruments, etc

8. (modifier) in a highly concise form

   a capsule summary

9. (modifier) (in the fashion industry) consisting of a few important representative items

   a capsule collection

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capsule Scientific  

/ kăp′səl,-so̅o̅l /

1. A dry dehiscent fruit that develops from two or more carpels, as in the poppy and the cottonwood tree.

2. The sporangium (the hollow spore-producing structure) of mosses and other bryophytes.

3. The outer layer of viscous polysaccharide or polypeptide slime with which some bacteria cover their cell walls. Capsules provide defense against phagocytes and prevent the bacteria from drying out.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• uncapsuled
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• capsules
  plural

Etymology

Origin of capsule

First recorded in 1645–55; 1950–55 capsule for def. 5; from French or directly from Latin capsula, equivalent to caps(a) “box” + -ula diminutive suffix; see origin at case ², -ule

Explanation

A capsule is a very small container that closes tightly. Many medicines come in capsules that can be easily swallowed. Certain brands of laundry or dishwasher soap can be bought in capsule form, and you might hide a secret note or special mementos in a time capsule. A biologist probably thinks of a capsule as an anatomical structure that encloses an organ. This, in fact, is the word's earliest meaning — in French, it's a "membranous sac," from the Latin capsula, "small box or chest."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

capsule capsules capsuled capsuling

Denim maker Lee released a capsule collection inspired by archival photos of Marilyn Monroe wearing its Storm Rider jacket on the set of her last movie.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026

In these experiments, powerful lasers create shock waves that force a tiny diamond capsule to implode.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 20, 2026

When travelers enter Dulles International Airport, they pass through a time capsule from the Space Age.

From Slate ● Aug. 18, 2026

The spacecraft will also observe Demios, the other of Mars' moons -- but without landing -- before a return capsule heads back to Earth to land in Australia in around 2031.

From Barron's ● Aug. 16, 2026

An almost musical blend of roars and rumbles filled the capsule as Gagarin felt the rocket beneath him trembling, fighting gravity, and lifting off the ground.

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin

Its factories can supply everything from frozen meat and candy to lipstick, medicine capsules and sports hijabs.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 12, 2026

The chain says the capsules were inspired by airline cabins.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 6, 2026

What he found in the 78s that Juarez left behind was more than a record collection; they were miniature time capsules from a teenage world bound by friendship, community, and music.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 4, 2026

According to Fortune Business Insights, these supplements are now appearing not only in capsules but also in drinks, dairy alternatives, and snack products.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 26, 2026

He sent Yao for abombelt capsules again, and he returned with a handful of blue-and-white ones in a plastic sachet with no writing.

From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo

Motor Chassis Manufacturer" and builds no bodies whatever, seemed the philosophy of U. S. automotive engineers as capsuled by President Stout: "The car must look right above all things.

From Time Magazine Archive

The author thinks he has capsuled his philosophy in that sentence.

From Time Magazine Archive

The professional verdict on Belli's conduct of the defense was neatly capsuled in a Texas lawyer's quip: "They found Melvin Belli guilty and gave Jack Ruby the chair."

From Time Magazine Archive

The contrast capsuled the revolution in the mode of protest in the U.S. that has taken place in the '60s.

From Time Magazine Archive

In a prompt countermove, Ford this week distributed to 150,000 employes copies of the Founder's familiar anti-union views, capsuled under the heading "Fordisms."

From Time Magazine Archive

Freedom," he said, capsuling his own political philosophy, "has been defined as the opportunity for selfdiscipline.

From Time Magazine Archive

Related Words

• dose
• pellet
• pill