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

She shared her experience on TikTok with the caption, “Was this crazy?!”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

Swedish singer Zara Larsson posted a video on TikTok of herself with the caption “I wanna be on the French show with the good lighting!!”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 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

A caption said the images has been created with AI as an "artistic recreation", but many fans missed the disclaimer.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

Directly below the picture of the demonstrators ran an article, with its headline printed in a typeface several points larger than that used for the photograph’s caption.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

Related Words

• inscription
• subtitle