Definition

Noun: 1. The building in Washington, D.C., that houses the legislative branch of the U.S. federal government: Specifically, it is the meeting place of the United States Congress, comprising the Senate and the House of Representatives. It is a central symbol of American democracy and governance.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • The tour group visited the capitol building to see where laws are made.
  • The dome of the capitol building is an iconic feature of the Washington skyline.

Advanced Usage

• "The Capitol": When capitalized and used with the definite article, it specifically refers to this building in Washington, D.C. It is often used metonymically to represent the U.S. Congress itself.
  • The issue was debated fiercely in the Capitol.

Variants and Related Words

• Capitol (proper noun): The standard short form for the capitol building in Washington, D.C. (Note: "Capitol" with an 'o' refers specifically to this building or similar state buildings, while "capital" with an 'a' refers to a city that is the seat of government.)
• State capitol (noun): A building in a U.S. state capital housing the state legislature. This is a related but distinct term.

Synonyms

• The Capitol
• U.S. Capitol
• Congressional building

Notes on Meaning

• This term refers specifically to the physical structure in Washington, D.C. It is distinct from a "capital," which is a city. The concept is also replicated at the state level across the United States in "state capitol" buildings.

Noun

1. the government building in Washington where the United States Senate and the House of Representatives meet