# captain

/ˈkæptən/ (US) · /kˈæptɪn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/captain
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. ship or aircraft commander

noun · CEFR B1

the person who is in legal command of a ship or a commercial airplane.

For teachers: the individual lawfully in command of a vessel or aircraft, responsible for its operation and safety.

- The captain announced that the ship would arrive in the harbour by noon.
- After the storm damaged the navigation systems, the captain remained on the bridge for twenty hours to ensure the vessel reached port safely.

Usage: Often used as a title before a name, such as Captain Smith.

### 2. sports team leader

noun · CEFR B1

the player on a sports team who is chosen to lead the others and speak to the referee.

For teachers: a designated member of an athletic team who leads the squad and acts as the primary liaison with officials.

- She was proud to be named captain of the basketball team in her final year.
- The team captain protested the referee's decision, arguing that the foul occurred outside the penalty area.

### 3. military rank

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

a middle-level officer in the army, navy, or air force.

For teachers: a commissioned officer rank; in the army it is typically above lieutenant, while in the navy it is a more senior rank equivalent to a colonel.

- The captain ordered the soldiers to prepare for the morning exercise.
- Promoted to captain after three years of service, he was given command of a small infantry company stationed near the border.

### 4. humorous nickname

noun · CEFR C1 · Humorous · Informal

a funny name you give someone who is acting like a leader or doing something obvious.

For teachers: a title or nickname applied to a person, often ironically or to highlight a specific trait or behavior.

- Thanks for telling us it's raining, Captain Obvious.
- He became known as Captain Safety around the office because he was always reminding people to hold the handrail on the stairs.

### 5. to lead a group

verb · CEFR B2

to act as the leader of a ship, plane, or team.

For teachers: to exercise command or leadership over a vessel, aircraft, or organized group.

- She will captain the national team during the world championships next month.
- Having captained several cargo ships across the Atlantic, he was well-prepared for the challenges of the new route.

Usage: This verb is transitive and takes a direct object representing the group or vessel being led.

## Examples

- The captain welcomes the passengers on board the flight.
- After the storm damaged the sails, the captain decided to steer the ship toward the nearest harbor for repairs.
- While the first officer handles much of the technical navigation, the captain retains ultimate legal and operational authority over the vessel and its entire crew.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.