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

Nine players pulled out of the England squad for the recent Nations League double-header, an amount that raised eyebrows from fans - and even Three Lions captain Harry Kane.

From BBC

Some parents and businesses told the BBC that the former Reading FC captain warned them she would take action against them if they complained on social media.

From BBC

When Bellamy's first stint with the Wales squad in September was coming to an end, the former captain spoke of his sadness about having to part with his players.

From BBC

But in 1946 future Australian captain Lindsay Hassett brought an Australian Services team to India to celebrate the Allies’ victory in World War Two.

From BBC

He said afterwards he put "no pressure" on captain David Ferrer to pick him, but joked he would not selected himself if Spain set up a semi-final against Germany or Canada.

From BBC

Related Words

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