captain of industry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "captain of industry" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to refer to a business leader or entrepreneur who has significant influence and success in their field. For example, "He was considered a captain of industry, transforming the tech landscape with his innovative ideas." Alternative expressions include "business magnate," "industrial leader," and "business tycoon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

He was 100percentt Captain of Industry.

The New York Times - Magazine

He is going to be a captain of industry.

The Guardian - Opinion

Chemist, Captain of industry, teacher, vocalist and basketball fanatic.

The New York Times

I've often wondered what it takes to be the wife of a captain of industry.

The New York Times - Books

(I imagine a captain of industry murmuring, "Chef Tong, I think you've delighted us long enough").

Independent

President Francois Hollande led tributes to France's best known captain of industry.

The Guardian - Business

The insights of our latest captain of industry would be welcome.

The Guardian - Business

It's highly unusual for a foreign captain of industry to appear before Congress.

The Guardian - Business

For such a captain of industry, he's surprisingly smiley, patient and approachable.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The technology is evolving rapidly, but so far there is no evidence of a captain-of-industry gene.

The New Yorker

(BusinessWeek, in its captain-of-industry feature, declared a "genome gold rush" and explained its election of Mr. Venter to cover-photo status this way: "Well, Craig, you've earned it").

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the historical resonance of the term. It was famously used during the Gilded Age to describe leaders whose personal fortune contributed positively to the country, as opposed to the more negative "robber baron".

Common error

Do not use "captain of industry" to describe anyone with a high-ranking job. The term is reserved for owners or top-tier executives of major, market-shaping firms. Using it for a vice president or a local business owner diminishes the intended gravitas of the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "captain of industry" functions as a noun phrase composed of a head noun ("captain") modified by a prepositional phrase ("of industry"). In Ludwig, it is frequently used as a subject complement or an appositive to define the status of a specific individual.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Formal & Business

12%

Science & Research

4%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Social Media

0.5%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "captain of industry" is a sophisticated and high-quality term used to describe the elite leaders of the business world. Ludwig AI data shows that it is exceptionally common in high-authority news sources, appearing 55 times in the provided sample alone. Unlike more aggressive synonyms like "magnate" or "tycoon", this expression often carries a nuance of respect or historical significance. It is most effectively used in formal writing, business profiles, and economic journalism to denote a person whose influence extends beyond their own company to impact the entire industrial landscape.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

business magnate

a more modern and neutral term for a person who has achieved great success in a particular industry

tycoon

suggests a person of great wealth, power and influence, often with a more aggressive or self-made connotation

titan of business

emphasizes the massive scale and almost mythological strength of the individual's influence

industrialist

more specific to those who own or manage large-scale manufacturing or industrial concerns

mogul

often used to describe leaders in specific sectors like media, film, or fashion

baron of industry

carries a slightly more archaic or aristocratic tone, sometimes implying a monopoly

merchant prince

a literary or historical term for a powerful trader or commercial leader

corporate heavyweight

a more colloquial and modern way to describe someone with major influence in the business world

entrepreneurial giant

focuses on the person's innovative start and subsequent massive success

robber baron

a pejorative historical alternative that implies wealth was gained through exploitative practices

FAQs

What does "captain of industry" mean?

It refers to a prominent business leader who has significant wealth and influence. According to Ludwig, it often describes someone whose leadership is seen as beneficial to society.

Is "captain of industry" a compliment?

Yes, it is generally positive. If you want a more negative term for a powerful business person, you might use "robber baron" instead.

How do you use "captain of industry" in a sentence?

You can use it as a title or description, such as: "He rose from humble beginnings to become a "titan of business" and a true "captain of industry"."

What is the difference between a tycoon and a "captain of industry"?

While both describe wealthy leaders, a "tycoon" focuses on personal wealth and power, whereas a "captain of industry" often implies a level of prestige and a role in the nation's economic progress.