capsule

1 of 3

noun

cap·​sule ˈkap-səl 

-(ˌ)sül,

 also  -ˌsyül

1

a

: a membrane or sac enclosing a body part (such as a knee joint or kidney)

b

: either of two layers of white matter in the cerebrum

2

: a closed receptacle containing spores or seeds: such as

a

: a dry dehiscent usually many-seeded fruit composed of two or more carpels

b

: the spore case of a moss

3

: a shell usually of gelatin for packaging something (such as a drug or vitamins)

also : a usually medicinal or nutritional preparation for oral use consisting of the shell and its contents

4

: an often polysaccharide envelope surrounding a microorganism

5

: an extremely brief condensation : outline, survey

capsules of history given to students

6

a

: a compact often sealed and detachable container or compartment

b

: a small pressurized compartment or vehicle (as for space flight)

capsule

2 of 3

verb

capsuled; capsuling

transitive verb

1

: to equip with or enclose in a capsule

2

: to condense into or devise in a compact form

capsuled the news

capsule

3 of 3

adjective

1

: extremely brief

a capsule biography

2

: small and very compact

a capsule submarine

Synonyms

Noun

• cap
• lozenge
• pill
• tablet

Verb

• capsulize
• collapse
• compact
• compress
• condense
• constrict
• constringe
• contract
• narrow (down)
• squeeze
• telescope

Adjective

• aphoristic
• apothegmatic
• brief
• compact
• compendious
• concise
• crisp
• curt
• elliptical
• elliptic
• epigrammatic
• laconic
• monosyllabic
• pithy
• sententious
• succinct
• summary
• telegraphic
• terse
• thumbnail

Examples of capsule in a Sentence

Noun

took an antibiotic capsule three times a day for a week

a capsule containing all sorts of items from our era that is to be opened 100 years from now

Verb

newscasts that capsule complex, important stories into one-minute bits for easy digestion by viewers

Adjective

capsule reviews of the latest offerings at the multiplex

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The same could be said about colors like Cinnamon Slate and hues within the capsule collection, such as Malabar and Sunbleached. —Lia Picard, USA Today, 21 May 2025

The capsule’s grunge distressed look makes this Disney collection for the punks and cool kids. —Violet Goldstone, Footwear News, 19 May 2025

Adjective

The principality’s flag may be red and white, but Monaco is awash in blue and beige — colors Leclerc and Ferrari Style creative director Rocco Iannone drew from when collaborating on the latest capsule collection from the F1 team’s in-house fashion brand, another Leclerc side project. —Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 22 May 2025

Charles will make a special appearance at Nikki Beach Monte Carlo on Wednesday, May 21st, for a private event to celebrate the launch of his capsule collection, and through the weekend Ferrari Style will transform Nikki Beach Monte Carlo, bringing its signature aesthetic to life across the venue. —Erica Wertheim Zohar, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from Latin capsula, diminutive of capsa box — more at case

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1693, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1859, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1938, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing capsule

• Bowman's capsule
• time capsule

Kids Definition

capsule

1 of 2 noun

cap·​sule ˈkap-səl 

-(ˌ)sül

1

: a surrounding cover of a bodily part (as a knee joint)

2

: a case bearing spores or seeds

3

: a shell usually of gelatin that is used for packaging something (as a drug)

also : such a shell together with its contents

4

: an envelope of carbohydrate around a microbe and especially a bacterium

5

: a small compartment with nearly normal atmospheric pressure for a pilot or astronaut

especially : spacecraft

capsule

2 of 2 adjective

: very brief

capsule movie reviews

Medical Definition

capsule

noun

cap·​sule ˈkap-səl, -(ˌ)sül 

1

a

: a membrane or saclike structure enclosing a part or organ

the capsule of the kidney

b

: either of two layers or laminae of white matter in the cerebrum:

(1)

: a layer that consists largely of fibers passing to and from the cerebral cortex and that lies internal to the lentiform nucleus

called also internal capsule

(2)

: one that lies between the lentiform nucleus and the claustrum

called also external capsule

2

: a shell usually of gelatin for packaging something (as a drug or vitamins)

also : a usually medicinal or nutritional preparation for oral use consisting of the shell and its contents

3

: a viscous or gelatinous often polysaccharide envelope surrounding certain microscopic organisms (as the pneumococcus)