Also means
capital (of a column)
Usage Note
Chapiteau has two distinct meanings: in architecture it is the decorative capital at the top of a column, and in everyday modern usage it most commonly refers to the large tent of a travelling circus or outdoor event. The plural follows the -eau pattern: chapiteaux. The circus sense is what a learner will most often encounter in contemporary French texts.
Examples
"Les enfants adorent se retrouver sous le chapiteau."
Natural Translation
Children love gathering under the big top.
Free starter pack
Building your French vocabulary?
Get the 100 most common French words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.
Related Words
Explore French by topic
