noun

captain

KAP-tihn

noun

The person in charge of a ship, aircraft, or team.

"The captain announced that the flight would be delayed by an hour."

"She was named captain of the school hockey team."

A military rank above lieutenant and below major (army) or between commander and commodore (navy).

"He was promoted to captain after five years of service."

verb

To lead or take command of a ship, aircraft, or team.

"He captained the vessel through the storm without incident."

How to Use Captain

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe person who leads or is officially in charge — of a ship, plane, sports team, or a rank in the military.

Common pairings

team captain ship's captain captain a vessel

captained past tense, captains plural, Captains plural, captains singular

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The _____ announced that the flight would be delayed by an hour.

From Old French capitaine, from Late Latin capitaneus, "chief," ultimately from Latin caput, "head" — the same root as "capital" and "chief."

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