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 new capsule, out Thursday, features six pieces: a short-sleeve T-shirt, long-sleeve T-shirt, hoodie, matching track jacket and track pants and jacket. Ryma Chikhoune, WWD, 23 Oct. 2024 So Frédéric’s ancestors created a special clear bottle out of lead crystal with no punt, and adorned it with a gold label and capsule. Liz Thach, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024 When taken for their health benefits, reishi mushrooms are dried for tea or taken as an extract powder, liquid, or capsule. Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 19 Oct. 2024 In September, Space Perspective completed its first successful unpiloted test flight, launching the capsule and 700-foot-long balloon from its waterborne launch ship, MS Voyager. Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for capsule 

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 31 Oct. 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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