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. Compare staff captain.
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 calledbell 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

Derived Forms

• ˈcaptaincy, noun

Other Words From

• sub·captain noun
• un·captained adjective
• under·captain 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

He flew with Captain Irianto, 53, who had 20,000 hours experience, more than 6,000 hours on the A320.

From The Daily Beast

The Lion Air captain had left his rookie copilot to make the landing until he realized he was in trouble.

From The 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.

From The Daily Beast

My nickname was Captain, though I was a private, first class.

From The Daily Beast

They castigated the captain, a 48-year-old Indonesian, and his rookie copilot, a 24-year-old Indian.

From The Daily Beast

C was a Captain, all covered with lace; D was a drunkard, and had a red face.

From Project Gutenberg

Being quieted by the Captain with a draught of cold tea, and made to sit down, the examination of the book proceeded.

From Project Gutenberg

He sat glum and thoughtful, his mind in unproductive travail, until the captain was announced.

From Project Gutenberg

This Captain Kirton was really the best of the Kirton bunch: a quiet, unassuming young man, somewhat delicate in health.

From Project Gutenberg

Harry had no further adventures in reaching Fulton, and at once reported to Captain Duffield, who was in command of the post.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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