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
Noun
The Pistons paid homage to the D’s Negro League baseball team with a cap as part of the capsule. Michael Saponara, Billboard, 6 Mar. 2024 Each of these capsules contains 12 different probiotic strains, totaling 25 billion CFUS. Shushy Rita Setrakian Ms, Verywell Health, 21 Feb. 2024 Each capsule is scanned automatically, adjusting brewing parameters for optimal flavor extraction. Stack Commerce, Popular Science, 15 Feb. 2024 The capsule landed awkwardly, with the astronauts hanging upside down from straps, until the vessel righted itself. John Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2024 The Minnesota nonprofit Global Wellness Connections is proposing a feasibility study to look at connecting Rochester and the Twin Cities via train-like capsules traveling with electromagnetic propulsion at speeds up to 700 mph in an underground or elevated tube. Jeff Kiger, Twin Cities, 15 Feb. 2024 The pro is also quick to highlight the North Star observation capsule, which is available on Ovation of the Seas, which cruises Alaska. Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 12 Feb. 2024 New tools that even get at the samples ... and this is what people saw: The sample tray from the return capsule of OSIRIS-REx. Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 29 Jan. 2024 The heat shields were also critical to the survival of the capsule used in this year’s OSIRIS-REx project, which brought asteroid samples back to Earth. Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2024
Adjective
In addition to having the initial drop of the Spring 2024 collection, the Melrose store carries a dedicated capsule collection of T-shirts, sweatshirts and totes that were screen-printed with Schels’ portraits of a bunny and a cat. The Editors, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 But for any trip, the most important thing to keep in mind is how to prepare a versatile capsule wardrobe that will suit all sorts of adventures while remaining comfortable and stylish. Chadner Navarro, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2024 Great denim is the foundation of any capsule wardrobe, and the best straight leg jeans stand as one of the most versatile cuts. Paula Lee, Glamour, 9 Feb. 2024 If your capsule wardrobe is missing a dressy, versatile top, consider grabbing this blouse that’s trending on Amazon right now. Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 6 Feb. 2024 If your capsule wardrobe is missing polished tops, check out these blouses that come with rave reviews from Amazon shoppers. Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 28 Jan. 2024 Celebrities like Katie Holmes, Bella Hadid, and Hailey Bieber are already on board with leather pants, providing expert styling inspiration that’s easy to recreate with your existing capsule wardrobe essentials. Jake Smith, Glamour, 23 Jan. 2024 Other sale stars include cargo pants from Vince, a trench coat from Barbour, and wide leg jeans from Frame. Barbour Opal belted trench coat No capsule wardrobe is complete without the perfect trench, and this belted one from Barbour ticks all of the boxes. Porter Simmons, Vogue, 20 Nov. 2023 Isotretinoin is an oral medication that comes in capsule form. Leah Ansell, Verywell Health, 24 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'capsule.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near capsule

Cite this Entry

“Capsule.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/capsule. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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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