caption

¹cap·tion

noun \ˈkap-shən\

Definition of CAPTION

1

: the part of a legal document that shows where, when, and by what authority it was taken, found, or executed

2

a : the heading especially of an article or document : title b : the explanatory comment or designation accompanying a pictorial illustration c : a motion-picture subtitle

— cap·tion·less \-ləs\ adjective

Examples of CAPTION

1. The caption on the picture says “This year's contest winners.”
2. <for the school yearbook, funny captions were written for snapshots showing a typical day at school>

Origin of CAPTION

probably short for certificate of caption (taking, seizure)

First Known Use: circa 1670

Related to CAPTION

Synonyms: cutline, legend

Related Words: key; closed-captioning, subtitle, translation; motto, posy, slogan, tagline

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Publishing Terms

annotate, dreadful, emend, expurgate, factoid, jump, lobster shift, redaction, referee