rhizoverbBeta
DictionarycapitalizationUppercase lettering
noun

capitalization

kap-ih-tuh-luh-ZAY-shun/ˌkæpɪtələˈzeɪʃn/

The use of uppercase letters in writing.

The second sentence corrects the first sentence's capitalization.

A simple sheet of handwriting paper shows the same short sentence twice: first entirely lowercase, then with its initial letter correctly capitalized.
Etymology
capitalEnglishuppercase letter
+izEnglishmake or render
+ationEnglishact or process

Capital here names an uppercase letter. The endings turn that letter-name into an action, capitalize, and then into the name of the practice of writing or printing with uppercase letters.

In context

Kelsey Siegfried0:03
we are going to be talking about how to use proper capitalization and punctuation in our writing now i know your teachers have told you since kindergarten your sentence always begins with a capital letter
How to Use Capitalization and Punctuation in Google Slides

More examples

  • Sentence capitalization requires an initial capital letter.
  • Inconsistent capitalization made the list look careless.
  • The style guide explained capitalization of official names.

Forms

capitalization

capitalize verb — write with a capital letter

Similar words

uppercase
Uppercase describes the letters; capitalization is their use according to writing conventions.
punctuation
Punctuation uses marks to organize writing; capitalization changes letter case.