capitalization

[ kap-i-tl-uh-zey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act or process of capitalizing.
2. the authorized or outstanding stocks and bonds of a corporation.
3. Accounting.
   1. the total investment of the owner or owners in a business enterprise.
   2. the total corporate liability.
   3. the total arrived at after addition of liabilities.
4. conversion into stocks or bonds.
5. the act of computing the present value of future periodical payments.

capitalization

/ ˌkæpɪtəlaɪˈzeɪʃən /

noun

1. 1. the act of capitalizing
   2. the sum so derived
2. accounting the par value of the total share capital issued by a company, including the loan capital and sometimes reserves
3. the act of estimating the present value of future payments, earnings, etc
4. the act of writing or printing in capital letters

Word History and Origins

Origin of capitalization¹

First recorded in 1855–60; capitalize + -ation

Example Sentences

Although Tesla’s sales of its signature electric cars stumbled early in 2024, the company has an $800-billion market capitalization built largely on the expectation that it will be able to overtake competitors to dominate the burgeoning robotaxi market.

From Los Angeles Times

While Tesla’s sales of its signature electric cars stumbled early in 2024, the company has an $800-billion market capitalization built largely on the expectation that it will overtake competitors to dominate the burgeoning robotaxi market.

From Los Angeles Times

That’s more of his weird capitalization, not mine.

From Los Angeles Times

The impulse to exaggerate — and vent his frustration in run-on sentences with odd punctuation and random capitalization — is a sure sign Trump is in a swivet.

From Los Angeles Times

Like most CEO pay deals, the one Elon Musk reached with Tesla in 2018 used the stock price to encourage Musk to work hard: The more Tesla’s market capitalization went up, the more equity in the company would go to Musk.

From Slate

Related Words

• funding