cap·tain (k p t n)n. 1. Abbr. Capt. One who commands, leads, or guides others, especially: a. The officer in command of a ship, an aircraft, or a spacecraft. b. A precinct commander in a police or fire department, usually ranking above a lieutenant and below a chief. c. The designated leader of a team or crew in sports. 2. a. Abbr. CPT or Capt or CAPT or Capt. A commissioned rank in the U.S. Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps that is above first lieutenant and below major. b. Abbr. CAPT or Capt. A commissioned rank in the U.S. Navy or Coast Guard that is above commander and below commodore. c. One who holds the rank of captain. 3. A figure in the forefront; a leader: a captain of industry. 4. One who supervises or directs the work of others, especially: a. A district official for a political party. b. A restaurant employee who is in charge of the waiters and usually attends to table seating. c. A bell captain. tr.v. cap·tained, cap·tain·ing, cap·tains To act as captain of; command or direct: captained the football team. [Middle English capitain, from Old French, from Late Latin capit  neus, chief, from Latin caput, capit-, head; see kaput- in Indo-European roots.]cap tain·cy, captain·ship n. |
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