capture
KAP-shuh
Capture (verb) means to take hold of or seize something or someone by force. Example: “Soldiers captured the bridge before dawn.”
verb
1
To take hold of or seize something or someone by force.
"Soldiers captured the bridge before dawn."
"The goalkeeper capturing the ball ended the attack."
"Police captured the thief after a short chase through the market."
2
To record or represent something, especially so it can be seen or reviewed later.
"The photograph perfectly captured the joy of the moment."
"This app lets you capture notes during a meeting."
"Cameras at the gate captured everyone who passed through that evening."
noun
1
The act of seizing or taking control of something, or the thing seized.
"The capture of the city marked a turning point in the war."
"The capture of the escaped fox took the whole village an afternoon."
"Soldiers cheered the capture of the fort after a long siege."
How to use capture
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo seize or take control of something, or to record it (like in a photo or video).
Common pairings
capture the moment
capture a city
capture data
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Word forms
- Plural
- captures
- Third person singular
- captures
- Past tense
- captured
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Soldiers _____ the bridge before dawn.
Etymology
From Latin captura, "a taking," from capio, "to seize" — the same root family as "captive" and "captor."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for capture
See all rhymes for capture →Frequently asked questions
What does “capture” mean?
The word “capture” means to take hold of or seize something or someone by force. In plain terms, to seize or take control of something, or to record it (like in a photo or video).
How do you pronounce “capture”?
“Capture” is pronounced KAP-shuh (/ˈkæp.(t)ʃɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “capture” in a sentence?
Here is “capture” used in a sentence: “Soldiers captured the bridge before dawn.”
What is another word for “capture”?
Words with a similar meaning to “capture” include seize, take away, abduct, kidnap, hold hostage and apprehend.
What is the opposite of “capture”?
The opposite of “capture” — its antonyms — are liberate, let go, release, rescue and unhand.
What part of speech is “capture”?
Depending on how it is used, “capture” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “capture” come from?
The word “capture” comes from Latin. From Latin captura, "a taking," from capio, "to seize" — the same root family as "captive" and "captor.".
Is “capture” a common word?
“Capture” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between capture and catch?
Both mean to take hold of something, but they differ in effort and permanence. 'Catch' can be casual and momentary, like catching a ball or a bus. 'Capture' suggests seizing something and keeping control of it, often by force or after real effort, such as capturing a fugitive, a town, or a rare photograph.
What are the different meanings of capture?
Capture has three main senses. Physically, it means to seize and hold by force, such as capturing a prisoner or territory. Technically, it means to record, as in capturing an image, sound, or data. Figuratively, it means to win or hold something intangible, as in capturing someone's attention or a share of the market.
What is the opposite of capture?
The opposite depends on the sense. When capture means to seize a person or animal, the antonyms are 'release,' 'free,' or 'let go.' When it means to win or gain something, opposites include 'lose' or 'surrender.' In each case, the reverse of capture is giving up the hold you had gained.
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