capsule

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. the part of a rocket where people live and work during a flight.

n. a small, pressurized compartment of a spacecraft designed to support a crew and return to Earth.

“The astronauts climbed into the capsule and prepared for the long journey.”

“After re-entering the atmosphere, the space capsule deployed three massive parachutes to slow its descent before splashing down in the ocean.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Science Technical

n. the part of a plant that holds and protects its seeds.

n. a dry fruit that opens when ripe to release seeds, typical of plants like poppies or lilies.

“The poppy capsule dried out and eventually scattered its seeds in the wind.”

“The botanist examined the dehiscent capsule under a microscope to determine how the seeds were dispersed during the dry season.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Medicine Technical

n. a thin layer of tissue that covers and protects an organ in the body.

n. a tough, fibrous or membranous envelope surrounding an organ, such as the kidney or a joint.

“The surgeon was careful not to damage the capsule surrounding the kidney.”

“Inflammation of the joint capsule can lead to significant pain and restricted movement in elderly patients.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Formal

n. a very short and clear description of something.

n. a highly condensed or brief summary of a larger work or idea; often used as an adjective.

“The magazine provided a capsule review of the new movie.”

“The historian provided a capsule history of the revolution, managing to condense decades of conflict into a single, insightful paragraph.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. a very small, tube-shaped room for one person in a special type of hotel.

n. a modular, fiberglass or plastic unit used as a guest room in a capsule hotel.

“I stayed in a capsule for one night because it was cheaper than a regular hotel.”

“While efficient for solo travelers, the capsule offers little more than a bed and a small television within its confined walls.”

C1 · Advanced Formal

v. to give a short, clear summary of a lot of information.

v. to summarize or condense information into a brief, manageable form.

“It is difficult to capsule such a long story into just two minutes.”

“The executive asked the consultant to capsule the findings of the three-hundred-page report for the board of directors.”