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Captions: meaning, definitions and examples

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captions

 

[ ˈkæpʃənz ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

text overlay

Captions are textual descriptions that appear on screen during a video or presentation, providing a transcription of the spoken dialogue. They may also include descriptions of sounds such as music or sound effects. Captions can aid in understanding content for those who are deaf or hard of hearing, and they are often used in educational and entertainment settings.

Synonyms

descriptions, subtitles, text overlays, transcriptions.

Examples of usage

  • The movie had English captions for foreign dialogues.
  • I turned on the captions to better follow the discussion.
  • Captions can enhance accessibility for viewers.
  • Many videos on social media now include captions.
  • Subtitles and captions serve different purposes.

Etymology

The word 'caption' comes from the Latin 'captio', which means 'taking' or 'seizing'. It originally referred to the act of taking something and evolved in Middle English to mean a heading or title of a document. By the late 19th century, the term began to be used more specifically in relation to the written text that accompanies an image. In the context of visual media, 'captions' became widely recognized as essential for making content accessible to a broader audience, particularly for the hearing impaired. The advent of television and later the internet significantly increased the use of captions, paving the way for standards and practices that govern their inclusion in various forms of media.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,937, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.