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View synonyms for

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. 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

/ ˈæɪ /

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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. tr to be captain of
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈٲԳ, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • ܲ·t noun
  • ܲ·tԱ adjective
  • ܲd·t noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of captain1

1325–75; Middle English capitain < Anglo-French capitain, captayn < Late Latin 辱Աܲ chief, equivalent to capit- (stem of caput ) head + - ( us ) -an + -eus -eous
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Word History and Origins

Origin of captain1

C14: from Old French capitaine, from Late Latin 辱Աܲ chief, from Latin caput head
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Yoshida, who led MLS in minutes played last season while captaining the Galaxy to a championship, agreed.

From

Head coach Jon Lewis was also removed from his position and has been replaced by legendary former captain Charlotte Edwards.

From

A former England under-20s captain, Ilione still has another year until he completes the medical degree he is juggling alongside playing.

From

Virgil van Dijk - the first non-British captain to lead Liverpool to a top flight title - dedicated the triumph to the club's supporters.

From

Last season: Taylor was a team captain for the Panthers despite missing half of the season because of injury.

From

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captagonAhab, Captain