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 St. Paul, police plan for 300 law-enforcement officers from local and state agencies to provide public safety services near the Minnesota state Capitol, including for several road closures in the area.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 28, 2026

Brandon Fellows, who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, had traveled to the conference to sell imitation Immigration and Customs Enforcement uniforms as costumes.

From Slate • 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

Mullin is known on Capitol Hill for not holding back, a style of speaking that some describe as combative.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

The plan became for Barack to make his announcement from the steps of the Old State Capitol, a historic landmark that would of course be more visually appealing than any convention center or arena.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama