captures; captured; capturing
1
a
: to take and hold (someone) as a prisoner especially by using force
They were captured by enemy soldiers.
b
: to catch (an animal)
using traps to capture mice
2
a
: to get control of (a place) especially by using force
The city was captured by the Romans.
b
: to win or get (something) through effort
She captured 60 percent of the vote in the last election.
The company plans on capturing a larger segment of the market.
3
: to get and hold (someone's attention, interest, etc.)
The show has captured the attention/interest of teenagers.
The story captured our imaginations. [=the story was very interesting and exciting]
4
: to describe or show (someone or something) in a very accurate way by using writing, painting, film, etc.
The story captures the essence of the holiday.
The biography captured her perfectly.
The beauty of the landscape was captured perfectly by the artist.
5
a
: to record (something) in a picture, film, etc.
The robbery was captured (on film) by the security cameras.
b
: to get and put (information) into a form that can be read or used by a computer
The system is used to capture data relating to the buying habits of young people.
a digital camera that captures 1.2 million pixels
6
: to take (something, such as a chess piece) by following the rules of a game
In the game of chess, the goal is to capture your opponent's king.
: the act of capturing someone or something: such as
a
: the act of taking and holding someone as a prisoner or of being taken as a prisoner
They avoided/eluded/escaped capture.
b
: the act of getting control of something
the capture of the city by enemy forces
c
: the act of putting information in a form that a computer can use or read
data/image capture
Cite this Entry
“Capture.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/capture. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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