closed caption: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal/Technical
Quick answer
What does “closed caption” mean?
Text displayed on a screen that transcribes dialogue and describes relevant sounds in a television programme or video, primarily intended for viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Text displayed on a screen that transcribes dialogue and describes relevant sounds in a television programme or video, primarily intended for viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing.
A subtitle feature that is encoded within the video signal and can be turned on or off by the viewer; often also used by people in noisy environments or for language learning.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is standard in both varieties, but 'subtitles' is more commonly used in the UK for the hearing, while 'closed captions' is a more specific technical/accessibility term. In the US, 'closed captioning' is a very common and legally mandated concept.
Connotations
In the UK, it strongly connotes accessibility for the deaf. In the US, it has broader cultural recognition due to the FCC's role in mandating it.
Frequency
Higher frequency in American English due to legal requirements (e.g., the Television Decoder Circuitry Act). Used in the UK, but 'subtitles' may be used more generically.
Grammar
How to Use “closed caption” in a Sentence
The film has closed captions.Please activate the closed caption feature.The service provides closed captions for all programmes.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “closed caption” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The broadcaster is required to caption the programme.
- We need to have this documentary captioned by next week.
American English
- The network will caption the live news broadcast.
- They are captioning the entire series for accessibility.
adverb
British English
- The programme was broadcast captioned.
- The film is available to view captioned online.
American English
- The show airs captioned on this channel.
- The video was uploaded captioned to YouTube.
adjective
British English
- The closed-caption service is included in the licence fee.
- Look for the closed-caption option in the menu.
American English
- All new TVs must have closed-caption capability.
- The closed-caption button is on the remote.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In meetings discussing video content accessibility compliance.
Academic
In media studies papers analysing accessibility in broadcasting.
Everyday
Asking how to turn on the text on the TV for a relative who is hard of hearing.
Technical
Specifying the encoding standard (e.g., CEA-608) for broadcast signals.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “closed caption”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “closed caption”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “closed caption”
- Misspelling as 'close caption' (missing the 'd').
- Using it as a verb incorrectly (e.g., 'Can you closed caption this?' vs. 'Can you add closed captions to this?').
- Confusing with 'open captions' or general 'subtitles'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. Subtitles typically assume the viewer can hear but not understand the language (e.g., translation). Closed captions are for viewers who cannot hear, so they also include descriptions of non-dialogue audio like [door slams] or [tense music].
Yes, 'to caption' is the standard verb (e.g., 'We need to caption this video'). 'Closed-caption' can be used attributively as an adjective (e.g., closed-caption service).
Live captioning relies on stenographers or speech recognition software, which can make errors with accents, fast speech, or technical vocabulary. Pre-recorded captioning is usually more accurate.
Many people use them: in noisy places like gyms or pubs, for learning a language, to understand complex dialogue or accents, or to watch content without disturbing others.
Text displayed on a screen that transcribes dialogue and describes relevant sounds in a television programme or video, primarily intended for viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Closed caption is usually formal/technical in register.
Closed caption: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkləʊzd ˈkæp.ʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkloʊzd ˈkæp.ʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CAPTION that is CLOSED inside the TV, and you need a remote to open it and see the words.
Conceptual Metaphor
ACCESSIBILITY IS A KEY (you need to turn it on to unlock understanding).
Practice
Quiz
What does the 'closed' in 'closed caption' specifically refer to?