Pronunciation

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

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.

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.