# capture

/ˈkæptʃɝ/ (US) · /kˈæptʃɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/capture
Updated: 2026-07-22

## Senses

### 1. to seize by force

verb · CEFR B1

to take a person or place by force, especially during a war or fight.

For teachers: to take into one's possession or control by force, stratagem, or artifice.

- The soldiers managed to capture the enemy fort after a long battle.
- Rebel forces moved quickly to capture the capital city before the government could organise a counter-offensive.

### 2. to record or film

verb · CEFR B1

to record an image, sound, or moment so you can see or hear it later.

For teachers: to record or store data, images, or sounds in a digital or physical format for later retrieval.

- She used her phone to capture a beautiful video of the sunset.
- The high-speed camera was able to capture the exact moment the droplet hit the surface of the water.

### 3. to represent a feeling

verb · CEFR B2

to succeed in showing a feeling or an idea in a book, movie, or painting.

For teachers: to represent or express a quality, atmosphere, or feeling accurately in a creative medium.

- The novel really captures the feeling of living in a small town.
- The photographer's latest collection perfectly captures the melancholy of the abandoned industrial district.

### 4. to take a piece in a game

verb · CEFR B1

to take an opponent's piece off the board in a game like chess.

For teachers: to remove an opponent's piece from the field of play according to the rules of a game.

- I managed to capture his queen, which helped me win the chess match.
- In a bold tactical move, she sacrificed her knight to capture the opponent's most valuable defensive piece.

### 5. the act of seizing

noun · CEFR B2

the act of catching someone or taking control of a place.

For teachers: the act of seizing or the state of being seized by force.

- The capture of the thief was caught on the security cameras.
- The sudden capture of the city-state sent shockwaves through the neighbouring regions, prompting an immediate diplomatic response.

## Examples

- The camera allows for the capture of high-quality images.
- The software performs a screen capture every five minutes to monitor the progress of the automated task.
- Digital motion capture involves recording the movements of objects or people to translate them into a three-dimensional digital model for use in animation or medical research.

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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.