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 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

The fallout from last week’s dramatic end of the legislative session is still going – and it’s led to plenty of demand for lawmakers to return to the Capitol to tend to the work that got left on the table.

From Voice of San Diego

Rendon caught intense criticism after it was revealed that Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks was forced to bring her infant daughter into the Capitol with her to vote after Rendon denied her request to vote by proxy.

From Voice of San Diego

Sykes has also faced other distinct challenges as a woman of color, from death threats against her father to having security guards stop her from entering the state Capitol because she “doesn’t look like a legislator,” among other affronts.

From Ozy

She ended up bringing her infant into the Capitol to vote in person – a stark image on its own, but one made even more stunning when contrasted with the Republicans who were allowed to vote from home.

From Voice of San Diego

It is roughly three miles southwest of the Florida’s Capitol.

From Washington Blade

Excerpted from Capitol Men: The Epic Story of Reconstruction Through the Lives of the First Black Congressmen by Philip Dray.

From The Daily Beast

So not only will the GOP have control in the Senate, it will move the center of gravity on Capitol Hill hard to starboard.

From The Daily Beast

Tool around Capitol Hill, which brims gay bars, restaurants, and clubs.

From The Daily Beast

In the meantime, just as the bill passed its first hurdle, snow flakes started to fall down on the Capitol.

From The Daily Beast

The Satanic Temple won a battle to put a display in the Florida state capitol, but the religious right is fighting a bigger war.

From The Daily Beast

“Steed”—Jefferson rode on horseback to the Capitol to take his oath of office as President.

From Project Gutenberg

As Matt hurried out of the capitol building he found Clip at the curb, waiting for him.

From Project Gutenberg

Immediately the British flag was lowered from the Capitol at Williamsburg and the colonial colors were raised instead.

From Project Gutenberg

The sun has risen, a large ball of deep red, pouring a flood of gold upon the Capitol.

From Project Gutenberg

It was half-past five that afternoon when the Comet came to a halt at the steps of the capitol building.

From Project Gutenberg