Capt meaning : A chief or leader. The person lawfully in command of a ship or other vessel. An army officer with a rank between the most senior grade of lieutenant and major. A naval officer with a rank between commander and commodore. A commissioned officer in the United States Navy, Coast Guard, NOAA Corps, or PHS Corps of a grade superior to a commander and junior to a rear admiral (lower half). A captain is equal in grade or rank to an Army, Marine Corps, or Air Force colonel. One of the athletes on a sports team who is designated to make decisions, and is allowed to speak for his team with a referee or official. The leader of a group of workers. The head boy of a school. A maître d', a headwaiter. An honorific title given to a prominent person. See colonel.