caption

UK: /ˈkæpʃ^ən/ US: /ˈkæpʃən/ ,(kap′shən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

cap•tion /ˈkæpʃən/   n. 

[countable]
1. Literature a title or explanation for a picture:
   The caption under the photo read, "Winter in the Alps.''
2. Show Business a subtitle for a movie or a television program.

v. [~ + object]

3. Literature to supply a caption or captions for:
   a French film captioned in English.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

cap•tion  (kap′shən), n. 

1. Literature a title or explanation for a picture or illustration, esp. in a magazine.
2. Literature a heading or title, as of a chapter, article, or page.
3. Show Business [Motion Pictures, Television.] the title of a scene, the text of a speech, etc., superimposed on the film and projected onto the screen.
4. Law the heading of a legal document stating the time, place, etc., of execution or performance.

v.t. 

5. Literature to supply a caption or captions for;
   entitle:
   to caption a photograph.

• Latin captiōn- (stem of captiō), equivalent. to capt(us) taken (see captive) + -iōn- -ion
• Middle English capcio(u)n seizure 1350–1400

cap′tion•less, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

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
3. graphic material, usually containing lettering, used in television presentation
4. another name for subtitle2
5. 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

Etymology: 14th Century (meaning: seizure, an arrest; later, heading of a legal document): from Latin captiō a seizing, from capere to take