I. ˈkap-tən also ˈkap- ə m noun
Etymology: Middle English capitane, from Anglo-French capitain, from Late Latin capitaneus, adjective & noun, chief, from Latin capit-, caput head — more at head
Date: 14th century
1.
a.
(1) : a military leader : the commander of a unit or a body of troops
(2) : a subordinate officer commanding under a sovereign or general
(3) : a commissioned officer in the army, air force, or marine corps ranking above a first lieutenant and below a major
b.
(1) : a naval officer who is master or commander of a ship
(2) : a commissioned officer in the navy ranking above a commander and below a commodore and in the coast guard ranking above a commander and below a rear admiral
c. : a senior pilot who commands the crew of an airplane
d. : an officer in a police department or fire department in charge of a unit (as a precinct or company) and usually ranking above a lieutenant and below a chief
2. : one who leads or supervises: as
a. : a leader of a sports team or side
b. : headwaiter
c. : a person in charge of hotel bellhops — called also bell captain
3. : a person of importance or influence in a field
captain s of industry
• cap·tain·cy ˈkap-tən-sē noun
• cap·tain·ship -ˌship noun
II. transitive verb
Date: 1598
: to be captain of : lead
captain ed the football team