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¹captain

noun cap·tain \ˈkap-tən also ˈkap-^əm\

: a person who is in charge of a ship or an airplane

: an officer of high rank in some branches of the military

: an officer of high rank in a police or fire department

Full Definition of CAPTAIN

a (1) : a military leader : the commander of a unit or a body of troops (2) : a subordinate officer commanding under a sovereign or general (3) : a commissioned officer in the army, air force, or marine corps ranking above a first lieutenant and below a major

b (1) : a naval officer who is master or commander of a ship (2) : a commissioned officer in the navy ranking above a commander and below a commodore and in the coast guard ranking above a commander and below a rear admiral

c : a senior pilot who commands the crew of an airplane

d : an officer in a police department or fire department in charge of a unit (as a precinct or company) and usually ranking above a lieutenant and below a chief

: one who leads or supervises: as

a : a leader of a sports team or side

b : headwaiter

c : a person in charge of hotel bellhops —called also bell captain

: a person of importance or influence in a field <captains of industry>

— cap·tain·cy \ˈkap-tən-sē\ noun

— cap·tain·ship \-ˌship\ noun

See captain defined for English-language learners

See captain defined for kids

Origin of CAPTAIN

Middle English capitane, from Anglo-French capitain, from Late Latin capitaneus, adjective & noun, chief, from Latin capit-, caput head — more at head

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to CAPTAIN

Synonyms: commander, skip, skipper

²captain

verb

: to be in charge of (a ship or airplane)

: to lead (a team)

Full Definition of CAPTAIN

transitive verb

: to be captain of : lead <captained the football team>

See captain defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of CAPTAIN

1598

Related to CAPTAIN

Synonyms: boss, handle, head, overlook, oversee, quarterback, superintend, supervise

CAPTAIN Defined for Kids

¹captain

noun cap·tain \ˈkap-tən\

Definition of CAPTAIN for Kids

: the commanding officer of a ship

: a leader of a group : someone in command <the captain of a football team>

: an officer of high rank in a police or fire department

: a commissioned officer in the navy or coast guard ranking above a commander

: a commissioned officer in the army, air force, or marine corps ranking below a major

Word Root of CAPTAIN

The Latin word caput, meaning “head," gives us the root capit, which is sometimes shortened to capt. Words from the Latin caput have something to do with the head or a place where decisions are made. The capital of a state or country is the city where the government is and where decisions are made about laws. A captain is the person who heads a group and leads his members. To decapitate is to cut off someone's head.