The descriptive heading or title, of a document or part thereof.
caption in U.S. law
• A title or brief explanation attached to an illustration, cartoon, user interface element, etc.
• A piece of text appearing on screen as a subtitle or other part of a film or broadcast, describing dialogue (and sometimes other sound) for viewers who cannot hear.
• The section on an official paper (for example, as part of a seizure or capture) that describes when, where, and what was taken, found or executed, and who authorized the act.
• A seizure or capture, especially of tangible property (chattel).
• A story that is embedded in a pre-existing image (sometimes with image manipulation)
(Verb) To add captions to a text or illustration.
• To add captions to a film or broadcast.
The practical impact of caption
caption appears in U.S. legal practice across multiple practice areas. Knowing what it means — and when it applies — can determine the outcome of motions, filings, and negotiations. For non-lawyers, the value of looking up a precise definition is that legal terms often carry meanings that differ from everyday usage; relying on the common meaning can lead to costly missteps.
caption — procedural details
In practice, caption is invoked when parties, judges, or attorneys need to identify the legal status of an issue, the rights of those involved, or the procedural step required next. The definition shown above is sourced from Wiktionary , which is widely cited in U.S. legal practice. Because U.S. law is jurisdictionally layered — federal, state, and sometimes local — the precise application of the term can vary by court, so check the controlling authority for your specific case.