capo

1 of 2

noun (1)

ca·​po ˈkā-(ˌ)pō 

plural capos

: a movable bar attached to the fingerboard of a fretted instrument to uniformly raise the pitch of all the strings

capo

2 of 2

noun (2)

ca·​po ˈkä-(ˌ)pō  ˈka- 

plural capos

: the head of a branch of a crime syndicate

Examples of capo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The show follows mafia capo, Dwight, 25 years after he’s released from prison, building a new crew after realizing his mob family doesn’t have his best interests. —Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025

While this marks the end of a 17-year arrangement that was originally brokered by former Turner Sports capo David Levy, TNT will continue to serve as a generator of digital content for the NBA via its Bleacher Report and House of Highlights properties. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 27 June 2025

Tulsa King follows New York mafia capo Dwight (Stallone), just after he is released from prison after 25 years and unceremoniously exiled by his boss to set up shop in Tulsa, Okla. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 5 June 2025

Kyle said the capo found his father and questioned him. —Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, 16 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

short for capotasto, from Italian, literally, head of fingerboard

Noun (2)

Italian, head, chief, from Latin caput

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1926, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

circa 1952, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing capo

• da capo

Rhymes for capo

• taupo
• gestapo

Kids Definition

capo

noun

ca·​po

ˈkā-pō

plural capos

: a bar that can be fitted on the fingerboard especially of a guitar to raise the pitch of all the strings