captain

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /ˈkæp.tɪn/ or /-tən/
• (US) (AU) IPA ^(key): /ˈkæp.tən/
• (naval, informal) IPA ^(key): /ˈkæp.ən/ or [ˈkæpn̩] or [ˈkæpm̩]

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

Singular captain

Plural captains

1. (countable) A captain is a rank in the army between lieutenant and major.
2. (countable) A captain is a rank in the navy between commander and commodore.
3. (countable) A captain is the person who is in charge of a ship or airplane.

   The captain is the last to abandon ship.

   The captain said to put on your seat belts because of turbulence.

4. (countable) A captain is the person who makes all of the decisions on a sports' team.
5. (countable) A captain is the leader of a group of workers.

Verb

Plain form captain

Third-person singular captains

Past tense captained

Past participle captained

Present participle captaining

1. (intransitive) To act as a captain.
2. (transitive) To be in command and use that command on a ship, airplane, or sports team.