capitol
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
the building where a government's legislature meets to discuss and pass laws.
a building in which a state or national legislature meets. In the United States, this refers to both the federal building in Washington D.C. and the various statehouses.
Simple“The protesters gathered on the steps of the state capitol to demand new laws.”
In context“Security was tightened around the capitol as lawmakers prepared to vote on the controversial budget proposal.”
UsageUsually capitalized when referring to a specific building, such as the U.S. Capitol.
PitfallThe capital building has a white dome. The capitol building has a white dome.Use 'capital' for the city and 'capitol' for the specific building where the government meets.
Synonymsstatehouselegislature - 02 C2 Proficiency
a temple or fort in an ancient Roman city, especially the one on the Capitoline Hill in Rome.
the temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus on the Capitoline Hill in ancient Rome, or a similar citadel in other Roman cities.
Simple“The ancient capitol was the most important religious site in the city.”
In context“Archaeologists discovered the foundations of a provincial capitol, suggesting the town held significant administrative status during the Roman occupation.”
Synonymscitadelacropolis
capitol vs capital — Capital is the city, the money, or the letter; capitol is the physical building where lawmakers meet.
“The BBC's lawyers argue Trump's family members "have personal knowledge" of his intentions in the speech he gave outside the US Capitol on 6 January 2021.”
From Middle English Capitolie, in historical sense, from Latin Capitōlium. Other meanings from specific instances of capitol, q.v. As a French town hall, a calque of French Capitole.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.