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caption

n. · v.
US //ˈkæpʃən// UK //kˈæpʃən// cap·tion
  1. 1 picture description (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a short title or explanation printed below a picture, map, or cartoon.

    a brief explanation or title accompanying an illustration, photograph, or diagram.

    Example

    The caption under the photo explained that the building was over two hundred years old.

    Example

    The editor insisted on a more descriptive caption for the front-page photograph to ensure readers understood the historical context of the protest.
  2. 2 on-screen text (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Television

    words shown on a screen during a video or film that describe the dialogue and sounds.

    textual representation of spoken dialogue and sound effects in audio-visual media, primarily for the benefit of deaf or hard-of-hearing viewers.

    Example

    I usually turn on the captions when watching movies so I don't miss any quiet dialogue.

    Example

    Modern streaming services provide closed captions that include descriptions of background music and significant sound effects to improve accessibility.
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  1. 3 legal heading (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Formal Law

    the heading of a legal document that shows the names of the people involved and the court.

    the introductory part of a legal document or pleading which identifies the parties, the court, and the case number.

    Example

    The lawyer checked the caption of the document to make sure the case number was correct.

    Example

    The clerk rejected the filing because the caption failed to list all the co-defendants as required by the local court rules.
  2. 4 to provide a description (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to write a short explanation for a picture or video.

    to provide or supplement an image, diagram, or video with explanatory text.

    Example

    She spent an hour trying to caption her holiday photos before posting them online.

    Example

    The documentary was carefully captioned to ensure it met international accessibility standards for broadcast television.
Origin

Borrowed from Latin captiō (“deception, fraud”), from the past participle of capiō (“I take, I seize”) (English capture). Compare Middle English capcioun (“seizure, capture”).

Word family

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