capability

noun

ca·​pa·​bil·​i·​ty ˌkā-pə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

plural capabilities

1

: the quality or state of being capable

also : ability

The mayor has demonstrated his capability to handle municipal problems.

2

: a feature or faculty capable of development : potentiality

This vacant urban district has great capabilities.

3

: the facility or potential for an indicated use or deployment

the capability of a metal to be fused

nuclear capability

Synonyms of capability

• qualification
• ability
• expertise
• talent
• stuff

Examples of capability in a Sentence

The device has the capability of recording two television channels at once.

the nature of the tasks to which you are assigned will depend on your capabilities

Recent Examples on the Web

Recipients can opt to use the two speakers on the base of the device, or there are connection capabilities for external speakers. —Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 17 Dec. 2025

Even a merger would not necessarily resolve political and industrial tensions, one official told Euractiv, noting that both Diehl and MBDA would want to lead development of such a strategically important capability. —Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 17 Dec. 2025

However, Tesla is facing a class action lawsuit in California's Northern District from drivers who say that the company misled them for years regarding the self-driving capabilities of their Tesla electric vehicles. —Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2025

And as the government looks to expand its defense capabilities and job opportunities, Gen Z could find greater success pivoting from the corporate job hunt. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 17 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing capability

• nuclear capability

Rhymes for capability

• affability
• audibility
• bistability
• changeability
• contractility
• credibility
• culpability
• disability
• disutility
• durability
• fallibility
• feasibility