Entry Word: captain

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 a person in overall command of a ship <the captain is responsible for everything that happens to his ship in the course of a voyage>

Synonyms commander, skipper

Related Words master; commanding officer; admiral, commodore, vice admiral

2 one in official command especially of a military force or base <the captain of the largest army ever marshaled for battle in this country> — see commander 1
3 the person (as an employer or supervisor) who tells people and especially workers what to do <we only do what the captain tells us to, so it's not our fault when things donʼt work out> — see boss