caption

[ kap-shuhn ]
See synonyms for: captioncaptionedcaptioning on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. a title or explanation for a picture or illustration, as in a magazine, newspaper, or book.

  2. a heading or title, as of a chapter, article, or page.

  1. Movies, Television, Digital Technology.

    • a transcription or translation of dialogue and a written description of other audio elements, as sound effects, music, or atmospheric sounds, displayed as a graphic overlay on the lower part of the screen in a television program, film, video, or video game.

    • a title or annotation displayed as a graphic overlay on the screen in a television program, film, video, or video game, as to set the scene, name a location, or specify a time or date.

  2. Law. the heading of a legal document stating the time, place, etc., of execution or performance.

verb (used with object)
  1. to supply a caption or captions for: to caption a photograph.

Origin of caption

1
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English capcio(u)n “seizure,” from Latin captiōn- (stem of captiō ), equivalent to capt(us) “taken” (see captive) + -iōn- -ion

Other words from caption

  • cap·tion·less, adjective
  • mis·cap·tion, verb (used with object)
  • sub·cap·tion, noun
  • su·per·cap·tion, noun
  • un·cap·tioned, adjective

Words Nearby caption

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use caption in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for caption

caption

/ (ˈkæpʃən) /


noun
  1. a title, brief explanation, or comment accompanying an illustration; legend

  2. a heading, title, or headline of a chapter, article, etc

  1. graphic material, usually containing lettering, used in television presentation

  2. another name for subtitle (def. 2)

  3. the formal heading of a legal document stating when, where, and on what authority it was taken or made

verb
  1. to provide with a caption or captions

Origin of caption

1
C14 (meaning: seizure, an arrest; later, heading of a legal document): from Latin captiō a seizing, from capere to take

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012