1. Someone who commands, leads, or guides others; especially, an officer in command of a ship, an aircraft, or a spacecraft.
2. A precinct commander in a police or fire department, usually ranking above a lieutenant and below a chief.
3. The designated leader of a team or crew in sports: "The captain of the football team gave his players the signals for the next play."
4. A commissioned rank in the U.S. Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps that is above first lieutenant and below a major: "The captain ordered his men to fire their weapons."
5. A commissioned rank in the U.S. Navy or Coast Guard that is above commander and below commodore.
6. A figure in the forefront; a leader: "He was considered a captain of industry."
7. Someone who supervises or directs the work of others; especially, a district official for a political party or a restaurant employee who is in charge of the waiters and usually attends to the seating of customers at tables.
8. Etymology: a person who stands at the head of others", from Old French capitaine, from Late Latin capitaneus, "chief, prominent"; from Latin caput.