Grammarama

Capital vs. Capitol

Capitol refers specifically to the building that is the seat of government for a nation or smaller governmental district like a state or province. Capital is the homophone used for all other occasions, which include quite a broad range of subjects.


Examples:

Santa Fe, New Mexico, is the oldest capital city in the United States.
The United States Congress meets on Capitol Hill.
The opposing army capitalized on our weaknesses.
Minnesota’s capitol is just north of downtown St. Paul.
Capital punishment is a controversial subject.