capsule

noun
cap·​sule | \ ˈkap-səl How to pronounce capsule (audio) , -(ˌ)sül also -ˌsyül\

Definition of capsule

 (Entry 1 of 3)

1a : 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
6a : a compact often sealed and detachable container or compartment
b : a small pressurized compartment or vehicle (as for space flight)

capsule

verb
capsuled; capsuling

Definition of capsule (Entry 2 of 3)

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

adjective

Definition of capsule (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : extremely brief a capsule biography
2 : small and very compact a capsule submarine

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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
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Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Boeing hopes to launch is Starliner capsule on an unpiloted test flight in the October timeframe, followed by a test flight with three crew members aboard before the end of the year. William Harwood, CBS News, "Space station gets a new docking port in key upgrade for Boeing and SpaceX visits – live stream," 21 Aug. 2019 This is the station’s second docking port for commercial crew capsules. Washington Post, "Spacewalking astronauts add parking spot to space station," 21 Aug. 2019 Unlike other space capsules that use parachutes, the Dream Chaser will land akin to an airplane, gliding down horizontally onto a runway. Loren Grush, The Verge, "Sierra Nevada picks the future Vulcan rocket to fly its mini-spaceplane to orbit," 14 Aug. 2019 The Dead Don't Die actress released capsules with both labels within the past year, trying her hand at fashion design with bags, sweaters, sneakers, sandals and more apparel. Lindsay Weinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, "Selena Gomez to Launch Beauty Line," 14 Aug. 2019 After investigating the bathroom, officers found gel capsules. Akira Kyles, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Mount Airy man charged after allegedly stealing from Jiffy Lube, hiding drugs from police," 13 Aug. 2019 Bridenstine is also expected to give an update on the Space Launch System booster that will launch the first test flight of an uncrewed Orion capsule around the Moon and the later mission carrying astronauts. Lee Roop | Lroop@al.com, al, "Report: NASA’s Marshall center in Alabama gets big role in lunar lander," 13 Aug. 2019 Last night Angelenos came out to celebrate Rodarte’s capsule with Made and Mastercard at Milk Studios. Vogue, "Rodarte Celebrates its Latest Capsule Collection “Radarte” With a 1980s-Themed Extravaganza," 2 Aug. 2019 After Thomas' shift, 42 capsules of dexmethylphenidate were missing, according to the board. Rachel Berry, Cincinnati.com, "CVS pharmacist loses license for stealing drugs," 25 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

A capsule summary on Tuesday for an article about the decades-long rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Qatar omitted the context in describing the population of Qatar. New York Times, "Corrections: June 15, 2017," 14 June 2017 Capsule previews of Saturday's high school championships in baseball, softball, lacrosse and track and field. Hartford Courant, courant.com, "Previewing Saturday's High School Championships," 9 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'capsule.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of capsule

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