noun
Common
Capitol
KA-pih-tuhl
Capitol (noun) means the building in which a country's or state's legislature meets. Example: “Protesters gathered outside the state capitol.”
noun
1
The building in which a country's or state's legislature meets.
"Protesters gathered outside the state capitol."
"The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. is where Congress convenes."
"The state capitol is located smack-dab in the middle of the state's capital."
How to use Capitol
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe building where lawmakers meet, not to be confused with "capital" (the city or money).
Common mistake
Use "capitol" only for the building; use "capital" for the city or for money.
Easily confused with
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Protesters gathered outside the state _____.
Etymology
From Latin Capitolium, the hill in ancient Rome topped by temples and government buildings.
Synonyms
View more →
statehouse
legislative building
Capitoline Hill
Capitole
Frequently asked questions
What does “Capitol” mean?
The word “Capitol” means the building in which a country's or state's legislature meets. In plain terms, the building where lawmakers meet, not to be confused with "capital" (the city or money).
How do you pronounce “Capitol”?
“Capitol” is pronounced KA-pih-tuhl (/ˈkæpɪtəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “Capitol” in a sentence?
Here is “Capitol” used in a sentence: “Protesters gathered outside the state capitol.”
What is another word for “Capitol”?
Words with a similar meaning to “Capitol” include Capitoline Hill and Capitole.
What part of speech is “Capitol”?
“Capitol” is a noun.
Where does the word “Capitol” come from?
The word “Capitol” comes from Latin. From Latin Capitolium, the hill in ancient Rome topped by temples and government buildings.
Is “Capitol” a common word?
“Capitol” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between capital and capitol?
Capital covers most meanings: a seat-of-government city, wealth, an uppercase letter, or "excellent." Capitol with an o refers only to a building in which a legislature meets, such as the United States Capitol. If you mean the city, write capital; if you mean the building, write capitol.
When should capitol be capitalized?
Capitalize Capitol when naming a specific building, especially the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., and in the phrase Capitol Hill. Lowercase capitol is acceptable when speaking generically of state legislature buildings, though many publications capitalize those too. Style guides differ, so consistency matters most.
What is Capitol Hill?
Capitol Hill is the raised ground in Washington, D.C., on which the United States Capitol stands, and by extension the surrounding neighborhood. Journalists also use it as shorthand for the U.S. Congress itself, as in "the bill faces resistance on Capitol Hill."
What is an easy way to remember capitol vs capital?
A common mnemonic links the o in capitol to the round dome on many capitol buildings: the building with the dome takes the o. Every other sense — the city, money, letters — takes capital with an a.
