capsule

1 of 3

noun

cap·​sule ˈkap-səl How to pronounce capsule (audio)
-(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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See All Example Sentences for capsule

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of capsule was circa 1693

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Capsule.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/capsule. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

capsule

1 of 2 noun
cap·​sule ˈkap-səl How to pronounce capsule (audio)
-(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
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)

More from Merriam-Webster on capsule

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