# capitol

/ˈkæpɪtəɫ/ (US) · /kˈæpɪtəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/capitol
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. legislative building

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

the building where a government's legislature meets to discuss and pass laws.

For teachers: 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.

- The protesters gathered on the steps of the state capitol to demand new laws.
- Security was tightened around the capitol as lawmakers prepared to vote on the controversial budget proposal.

Usage: Usually capitalized when referring to a specific building, such as the U.S. Capitol.

### 2. ancient Roman citadel

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Formal

a temple or fort in an ancient Roman city, especially the one on the Capitoline Hill in Rome.

For teachers: the temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus on the Capitoline Hill in ancient Rome, or a similar citadel in other Roman cities.

- The ancient capitol was the most important religious site in the city.
- Archaeologists discovered the foundations of a provincial capitol, suggesting the town held significant administrative status during the Roman occupation.

## Examples

- The senators walked toward the Capitol for the vote.
- Protesters gathered on the steps of the state Capitol to demand changes to the new education law.
- The neoclassical architecture of the Capitol serves as a symbolic representation of democratic ideals, housing the chambers where federal legislation is debated and enacted.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.