capsule

word

/ˈkæpsəɫ/
KAP-suhl
/kˈæpsjuːl/
KAP-syool

Definition

A small, sealed container — either a pill-shaped dose of medicine, a protective shell for a spacecraft or payload, or a compact, self-contained unit. Also used as an adjective meaning brief or condensed.

Usage & Nuances

Multiple domains: medicine ("take two capsules daily"), space ("the crew capsule"), fashion ("capsule wardrobe" = minimal, versatile set of clothes), and media ("capsule review" = very brief review). "Time capsule" is a container buried to be opened in the future.

Example Sentences

The space capsule landed safely in the ocean.

basic

She built a capsule wardrobe of just 30 pieces that mix and match for any occasion.

natural

The crew capsule separated from the rocket booster and began its descent to Earth.

natural

The article was a capsule history of jazz — just three pages covering a hundred years.

natural

We buried a time capsule in the school yard.

basic

Take one capsule with water before meals.

basic