captain

[kap-tuhn, -tin]

noun

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

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

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

4. a military leader.

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

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

7. the commander of a merchant vessel.

8. the pilot of an airplane.

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

10. Sports.,  the field leader of a team.

    The captain of the home team elected to receive on the kickoff.

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

12. headwaiter.

13. bell captain.

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

verb (used with object)

1. to lead or command as a captain.

captain

/ ˈkæptɪn /

noun

1. the person in charge of and responsible for a vessel

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

3. 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

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

5. the leader of a team in games

6. a person in command over a group, organization, etc; leader

   a captain of industry

7. a police officer in charge of a precinct

8. (formerly) a head waiter

9. Also called: bell captain. a supervisor of bellboys in a hotel

10. informal,  a person who is buying drinks for people in a bar

verb

1. (tr) to be captain of

Other Word Forms

• subcaptain noun
• uncaptained adjective
• undercaptain noun
• captaincy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of captain¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of captain¹

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

Example Sentences

Anderson also captained Lancashire in the County Championship, a role he could resume in 2026.

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But footage of this particular spot-kick went viral after the Arabian Falcons captain failed to hit the target against Al Fath.

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“He views himself as the captain of the Israeli ship. He wants to land that craft on the beach of peace.”

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Former Scotland captain Rachel Corsie added that now Thompson has scored, she imagines the "floodgates will open".

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Jack Conan, who started all three Lions Tests over the summer, is poised to deputise for Doris if the captain does not regain fitness in time to face New Zealand.

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Related Words

• boss 
• commander 
• director 
• executive 
• leader 
• officer 
• operator 
• owner 
• pilot 
• skipper