1 [noncount] a : money, property, etc., that is used to start or operate a business
▪ Does he have the capital to start a new business? — see also venture capital
b : the money, property, etc., that a person or business owns
▪ capital accumulation = the accumulation of capital ▪ Like most homeowners, her house is her biggest capital asset. — sometimes used figuratively ▪ The governor wasted his political capital on an unpopular issue. ▪ She's been accused of trying to make capital out of the tragedy. [=of trying to use the tragedy to her advantage; of trying to benefit from the tragedy] — see also capital gains, capital goods, working capital 2 [count] : a letter in the form A, B, C, etc. : a capital letter 3 [count] a : a city in which the main offices of a government are located : a capital city
▪ the state/provincial capital ▪ Austin is the capital of Texas. ▪ Beijing is China's capital.
b : the most important city for an activity or product
▪ New York City is the media capital of the United States. ▪ This town is the region's cultural capital.