capitol
capitol — noun
1. the large white building in Washington, D.C., where the United States Congress m
the large white building in Washington, D.C., where the United States Congress meets to write and discuss national laws.
Aiko's school trip included a guided tour of the US Capitol.
the US Capitol — specific fixed name for Washington D.C. building
The Capitol dome was lit up against the night sky.
countable: the Capitol dome
Thousands of visitors walk through the Capitol each year.
Lawmakers returned to the Capitol early to debate the new budget.
Diego watched lawmakers enter the building where Congress writes national laws.
- the Capitol
the definite-name form used to refer specifically to the Washington, D.C., building; more common in everyday speech than 'Capitol building'
- Congress
refers to the people (senators and representatives) rather than the building; not a direct synonym
文法句型
the + capitol
用法筆記
When referring to the Washington, D.C., building, 'Capitol' is usually capitalised. The building is often simply called 'the Capitol'.
常見錯誤
2. a building in any of the 50 US states where the state's elected officials meet t
a building in any of the 50 US states where the state's elected officials meet to make state laws.
The Texas capitol in Austin is taller than the one in Washington.
pattern: [state] + capitol in [city]
Leila visited the Oregon state capitol to watch a vote on new laws.
In Springfield, the building where Illinois lawmakers meet has a tall dome.
The old capitol building was restored and reopened as a museum.
Protesters gathered on the steps of the state capitol.
- statehouse
less common variant, mostly used in parts of the northeastern and midwestern US; slightly informal
文法句型
[state name] + capitol
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1 (the single U.S. Capitol in D.C.), this sense is not capitalised when it refers to state capitol buildings in general. However, a specific state capitol's proper name is capitalised (e.g., 'the California Capitol').