capstones

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   The final stone placed at the top of a wall, column, or other structure, often decorative or protective.

   Grammar: Countable noun; usually plural when referring to more than one, but can be singular.

   Patterns

   • capstone of a wall
   • capstone on a column

   The ancient temple had a beautifully carved capstone on each pillar.

   Workers carefully lifted the capstones into place to finish the monument.

   A capstone of white marble crowned the entrance gate.

2. 2nouncountable

   A final course, project, or experience that completes a program of study or a career.

   Grammar: Often used in academic contexts; may be singular or plural.

   Patterns

   • capstone course
   • capstone project
   • capstone experience

   Her capstone project combined research and community service.

   The senior seminar serves as a capstone for the major.

   After decades of service, the award was a capstone to his career.

Word forms

Common combinations

capstone course

The capstone course requires students to integrate everything they have learned.

capstone project

For his capstone project, he designed a solar-powered car.

stone capstone

The old wall was topped with stone capstones.

capstone of a career

Winning the championship was the capstone of her career.

Synonyms and how they differ

keystone

Keystone often refers to the central stone at the top of an arch that locks the others in place, while capstone is the topmost stone of a wall or column.

coping

Coping is the top layer of a wall, often sloping to shed water; capstone is a single stone at the top.

Word family

cap noun

A covering or top part, similar to a capstone's position.

Commonly confused: capstones or capsize?

Practice

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