captain

[ kap-tuhn, -tin ]

/ ˈkæp tən, -tɪn /

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See synonyms for: captain / captained / captaining on Thesaurus.com

noun

a person who is at the head of or in authority over others; chief; leader.

an officer ranking in most armies above a first lieutenant and below a major.

an officer in the U.S. Navy ranking above a commander and below a rear admiral or a commodore.

a military leader.

an officer in the police department, ranking above a lieutenant and usually below an inspector.

an officer of the fire department, usually in command of a company, ranking above a lieutenant and below a chief or assistant chief.

the commander of a merchant vessel.Compare staff captain.

the pilot of an airplane.

a local official in a political party responsible for organizing votes on a ward or precinct level.

Sports. the field leader of a team: The captain of the home team elected to receive on the kickoff.

a person of great power and influence, especially based on economic wealth.

headwaiter.

bell captain.

South Midland and Southern U.S. an unofficial title of respect for a man (sometimes used humorously or ironically).

verb (used with object)

to lead or command as a captain.

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SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!

Question 1 of 6

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Origin of captain

1325–75; Middle English capitain<Anglo-French capitain, captayn<Late Latin capitāneus chief, equivalent to capit- (stem of caput) head + -ān(us) -an + -eus-eous

OTHER WORDS FROM captain

sub·cap·tain, nounun·cap·tained, adjectiveun·der·cap·tain, noun

Words nearby captain

capsulolenticular cataract, capsuloplasty, capsulorrhaphy, capsulotomy, capt., captain, Captain Cooker, captaincy, Captain Jack, captain of industry, captain's bed

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use captain in a sentence

Ship captains had been threatened, and their nets set ablaze.
The Human Error Darwin Inspired - Issue 90: Something Green|Aaron Hirsh|September 30, 2020|Nautilus
Advancing a big story about an arms-dealing sheriff’s captain, Marx got ahold of internal docs that showed the former Sheriff’s Department employee — Marco Garmo — got some cover from his superiors.
VOSD Podcast: Pre-Gaming Politifest|Nate John|September 25, 2020|Voice of San Diego
Emails show that Dave Myers, then a commander who later tried to unseat Sheriff Bill Gore, passed along the initial tip after another captain noticed that Garmo’s name kept coming up in background checks.
Sheriff’s Department Made Excuses for Captain Who Pleaded Guilty to Arms Dealing|Jesse Marx|September 23, 2020|Voice of San Diego
When she complained to a captain, she said he dismissed her.
ICE Deported a Woman Who Accused Guards of Sexual Assault While the Feds Were Still Investigating the Incident|by Lomi Kriel|September 15, 2020|ProPublica

Forward Kealia Watt was traded upon her request after spending the previous six seasons with the Dash, three as the team’s captain.
The Houston Dash Have Something To Prove|Bria Felicien|July 15, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
He flew with Captain Irianto, 53, who had 20,000 hours experience, more than 6,000 hours on the A320.
Annoying Airport Delays Might Prevent You From Becoming the Next AirAsia 8501|Clive Irving|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The Lion Air captain had left his rookie copilot to make the landing until he realized he was in trouble.
Annoying Airport Delays Might Prevent You From Becoming the Next AirAsia 8501|Clive Irving|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
My captain on the boat, Brazakka, he wanted me to do this Hemingway bit, with the white stubble, and he wanted the hero angle.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
My nickname was Captain, though I was a private, first class.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
They castigated the captain, a 48-year-old Indonesian, and his rookie copilot, a 24-year-old Indian.
Who Will Get AsiaAir 8501’s Black Boxes?|Clive Irving|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
C was a Captain, all covered with lace; D was a drunkard, and had a red face.
Boys and Girls Bookshelf; a Practical Plan of Character Building, Volume I (of 17)|Various
Being quieted by the Captain with a draught of cold tea, and made to sit down, the examination of the book proceeded.
The Giant of the North|R.M. Ballantyne
He sat glum and thoughtful, his mind in unproductive travail, until the captain was announced.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
This Captain Kirton was really the best of the Kirton bunch: a quiet, unassuming young man, somewhat delicate in health.
Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood
Harry had no further adventures in reaching Fulton, and at once reported to Captain Duffield, who was in command of the post.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn

British Dictionary definitions for captain

captain

/ (ˈkæptɪn) /

noun

the person in charge of and responsible for a vessel

an officer of the navy who holds a rank junior to a rear admiral but senior to a commander

an officer of the army, certain air forces, and the marine corps who holds a rank junior to a major but senior to a lieutenant

the officer in command of a civil aircraft, usually the senior pilot

the leader of a team in games

a person in command over a group, organization, etc; leadera captain of industry

US a police officer in charge of a precinct

US and Canadian (formerly) a head waiter

Also called: bell captain US and Canadian a supervisor of bellboys in a hotel

Australian informal a person who is buying drinks for people in a bar

verb

(tr) to be captain of

Derived forms of captain

captaincy or captainship, noun

Word Origin for captain

C14: from Old French capitaine, from Late Latin capitāneus chief, from Latin caput head

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

captain

Origin of captain

OTHER WORDS FROM captain

Words nearby captain

Words related to captain

How to use captain in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for captain

Derived forms of captain

Word Origin for captain