caption

American  

[kap-shuhn] / ˈkæp ʃən /

noun

1. a title or explanation for a picture or illustration, as in a magazine, newspaper, or book.

2. a heading or title, as of a chapter, article, or page.

3. Movies, Television, Digital Technology.

   1. a transcription or translation of dialogue and a written description of other audio elements, as sound effects, music, or atmospheric sounds, displayed as a graphic overlay on the lower part of the screen in a television program, film, video, or video game.

   2. subtitle.

   3. a title or annotation displayed as a graphic overlay on the screen in a television program, film, video, or video game, as to set the scene, name a location, or specify a time or date.

4. Law. the heading of a legal document stating the time, place, etc., of execution or performance.

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verb (used with object)

1. to supply a caption or captions for.

   to caption a photograph.

caption British  

/ ˈkæpʃən /

noun

1. a title, brief explanation, or comment accompanying an illustration; legend

2. a heading, title, or headline of a chapter, article, etc

3. graphic material, usually containing lettering, used in television presentation

4. another name for subtitle

5. the formal heading of a legal document stating when, where, and on what authority it was taken or made

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verb

1. to provide with a caption or captions

Other Word Forms

• captionless adjective
• miscaption verb (used with object)
• subcaption noun
• supercaption noun
• uncaptioned adjective

Etymology

Origin of caption

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English capcio(u)n “seizure,” from Latin captiōn- (stem of captiō ), equivalent to capt(us) “taken” ( captive ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

In fact, the word “Trump” was spoken only once during the entire hearing—at the very start, when Roberts announced the caption of the case, Trump v.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

One depicted a Louis Vuitton bag with the caption: “I’ve never seen a cheater lose so why would I play fair?”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

“Our family is going to go off on a new adventure, which means we are selling our Hamptons home,” she wrote in the accompanying caption.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 19, 2026

Pasandideh posted a picture of herself on Instagram alongside FIFA's chief football officer Jill Ellis -- a former coach of the American national team -- with the caption: "Everything will be fine."

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026

I remembered the huge black question mark above the caption “Where is Nwankiti?”

From "Purple Hibiscus" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Related Words

• inscription
• subtitle