a person who is at the head of or in authority over others; chief; leader.
an officer ranking in most armies above a first lieutenant and below a major.
an officer in the U.S. Navy ranking above a commander and below a rear admiral or a commodore.
a military leader.
an officer in the police department, ranking above a lieutenant and usually below an inspector.
an officer of the fire department, usually in command of a company, ranking above a lieutenant and below a chief or assistant chief.
the commander of a merchant vessel.Compare staff captain.
the pilot of an airplane.
a local official in a political party responsible for organizing votes on a ward or precinct level.
Sports. the field leader of a team: The captain of the home team elected to receive on the kickoff.
a person of great power and influence, especially based on economic wealth.
headwaiter.
bell captain.
South Midland and Southern U.S.an unofficial title of respect for a man (sometimes used humorously or ironically).
verb (used with object)
to lead or command as a captain.
Origin of captain
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
Ship captains had been threatened, and their nets set ablaze.
The Human Error Darwin Inspired - Issue 90: Something Green|Aaron Hirsh|September 30, 2020|Nautilus
Advancing a big story about an arms-dealing sheriff’s captain, Marx got ahold of internal docs that showed the former Sheriff’s Department employee — Marco Garmo — got some cover from his superiors.
VOSD Podcast: Pre-Gaming Politifest|Nate John|September 25, 2020|Voice of San Diego
Emails show that Dave Myers, then a commander who later tried to unseat Sheriff Bill Gore, passed along the initial tip after another captain noticed that Garmo’s name kept coming up in background checks.
Sheriff’s Department Made Excuses for Captain Who Pleaded Guilty to Arms Dealing|Jesse Marx|September 23, 2020|Voice of San Diego
When she complained to a captain, she said he dismissed her.
ICE Deported a Woman Who Accused Guards of Sexual Assault While the Feds Were Still Investigating the Incident|by Lomi Kriel|September 15, 2020|ProPublica
Forward Kealia Watt was traded upon her request after spending the previous six seasons with the Dash, three as the team’s captain.
The Houston Dash Have Something To Prove|Bria Felicien|July 15, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
He flew with Captain Irianto, 53, who had 20,000 hours experience, more than 6,000 hours on the A320.
Annoying Airport Delays Might Prevent You From Becoming the Next AirAsia 8501|Clive Irving|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
My nickname was Captain, though I was a private, first class.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
They castigated the captain, a 48-year-old Indonesian, and his rookie copilot, a 24-year-old Indian.
Who Will Get AsiaAir 8501’s Black Boxes?|Clive Irving|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After the captain made the call to abandon ship, 150 people were able to escape on lifeboats lowered by electronic arms.
‘We’re Going to Die’: Survivors Recount Greek Ferry Fire Horror|Barbie Latza Nadeau|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I believe there was a captain aboard, but Hughes kept throwing him out of the cockpit.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Finding that the propeller would now work, Captain Williamson gave orders for full speed astern.
First at the North Pole|Edward Stratemeyer
Captain Zoss was ahead of the others and was on top of the cliff when Earl shouted to him.
To Alaska for Gold|Edward Stratemeyer
"There be scores of inns near the river," said the captain to the girl.
Captain Ravenshaw|Robert Neilson Stephens
"I hope you have made no mistake, my lad," anxiously said Captain Daly.
Wizard Will|Prentiss Ingraham
They were quickly taken to private rooms, where the captain was attended by a police surgeon.
The Captain's Toll-Gate|Frank R. Stockton
British Dictionary definitions for captain
captain
/ (ˈkæptɪn) /
noun
the person in charge of and responsible for a vessel
an officer of the navy who holds a rank junior to a rear admiral but senior to a commander
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
the officer in command of a civil aircraft, usually the senior pilot
the leader of a team in games
a person in command over a group, organization, etc; leadera captain of industry
USa police officer in charge of a precinct
US and Canadian(formerly) a head waiter
Also called: bell captainUS and Canadiana supervisor of bellboys in a hotel
Australianinformala person who is buying drinks for people in a bar
verb
(tr)to be captain of
Derived forms of captain
captaincyorcaptainship, noun
Word Origin for captain
C14: from Old French capitaine, from Late Latin capitāneus chief, from Latin caput head