to take by force or stratagem; take prisoner; seize

The police captured the burglar.

to gain control of or exert influence over

an ad that captured our attention; a TV show that captured 30% of the prime-time audience.

to take possession of, as in a game or contest

to capture a pawn in chess.

to represent or record in lasting form

The movie succeeded in capturing the atmosphere of Berlin in the 1930s.

Computers .

to enter (data) into a computer for processing or storage.

to record (data) in preparation for such entry.

the act of capturing.

the thing or person captured.

Physics . the process in which an atomic or nuclear system acquires an additional particle.

Crystallography . substitution in a crystal lattice of a trace element for an element of lower valence.

noun

freeing , letting go , liberalization , release

verb

free , let go , liberate , lose , release

noun

abduction , acquirement , acquisition , apprehension , appropriating , appropriation , arrest , bag * , bust * , catch , collar , commandeering , confiscation , drop * , ensnaring , fall , gaining , grab * , grasping , hit the jackpot * , hook * , imprisonment , knock off * , laying hold of , nab * , nail * , obtaining , occupation , pick up * , pinch * , pull * , run in * , securing , seizing , seizure , snatching , sweep * , taking , taking captive , taking into custody , trapping , trip , winning

verb

apprehend , arrest , bag * , bust * , catch , collar , conquer , cop , gain control , get , grab * , hook * , land , nab * , nail * , net , occupy , overwhelm , pick up * , pinch * , prehend , pull in , put the cuffs on , round up * , run in * , secure , seize , snare , snatch , take , take captive , take into custody , take prisoner , trap , tumble , gain , win , bag , captivate , corral , deprehend , grab , hook , nab , nail , obtain , prize , snag