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 Capitol
   the main building of the US Congress
3. Also calledstatehouse 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

In one dramatic event, thousands of Mr. Trump’s supporters violently attacked the US Capitol building.

From NewsForKids.net

This led to a violent attack on the US Capitol by his supporters.

From NewsForKids.net

But his decision to nominate controversial Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz has raised eyebrows on Capitol Hill.

From BBC

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. and his allies turned their nose up at the chance to bar Trump from ever running for office again after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

From Salon

There will be sterner tests of Trump’s power on Capitol Hill to come, notably when confirmation hearings are held for his more divisive cabinet picks.

From BBC