capacity

1 of 2

noun

ca·​pac·​i·​ty kə-ˈpa-sə-tē 

-ˈpa-stē

plural capacities

1

: legal competency (see competence sense 1) or fitness

capacity to stand trial

2

a

: the potential or suitability for holding, storing, or accommodating

a large seating capacity

b

: the maximum amount or number that can be contained or accommodated

a jug with a one-gallon capacity

the auditorium was filled to capacity

see Metric System Table, Weights and Measures Table

3

a

: an individual's mental or physical ability : aptitude, skill

He has the capacity to handle this job.

Her breathing capacity has deteriorated.

b

: the faculty or potential for treating, experiencing, or appreciating

capacity for love

4

: duty, position, role

will be happy to serve in any capacity

5

: the facility or power to produce, perform, or deploy : capability

a plan to double the factory's capacity

also : maximum output

industries running at three-quarter capacity

6

a

: capacitance

b

: the quantity of electricity that a battery can deliver under specified conditions

capacity

2 of 2

adjective

: equaling maximum capacity

a capacity crowd

Synonyms

Noun

• complement
• cubage
• real estate
• volume

Examples of capacity in a Sentence

Noun

The nightclub has a 1,000-person capacity.

a bottle with a capacity of two liters

Does he have the capacity to handle this job?

The disease causes a deterioration of breathing capacity.

He was acting in his capacity as judge.

serving in a supervisory capacity

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Traditionally popular among high-net-worth individuals and families, DAFs have the capacity to create lasting social impact. —Tal Frankfurt, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024

The emergency room at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas, for example, is nearing capacity as increases in hospitalizations for RSV and pneumonia rise. —Deidre McPhillips, CNN, 2 Dec. 2024

Adjective

This heavy-duty, super-capacity duffle is no exception. —Mike Richard, Men's Health, 24 Nov. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Adjective

Middle English capacite, from Middle French capacité, from Latin capacitat-, capacitas, from capac-, capax

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1897, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing capacity

• carrying capacity
• fill to capacity
• vital capacity

Kids Definition

capacity

noun

ca·​pac·​i·​ty

kə-ˈpas-ət-ē,

-ˈpas-tē

plural capacities

1

: the ability to hold or contain

the seating capacity of a room

2

: the largest amount or number that can be contained

a jug with a capacity of four liters

the auditorium was filled to capacity

3

: mental or physical ability

4

: position entry 1 sense 4a, function

in your capacity as team manager

Medical Definition

capacity

noun

ca·​pac·​i·​ty kə-ˈpas-ət-ē, -ˈpas-tē 

plural capacities

1

a

: the ability to hold, receive, store, or accommodate

b

: a measure of content : the measured ability to contain : volume

a beaker with a capacity of one liter

see vital capacity

c(1)

: capacitance

(2)

: the quantity of electricity that a battery can deliver under specified conditions

2

: legal qualification, competency, power, or fitness

3

a

: power to grasp and analyze ideas and cope with problems

b

: blended power, strength, and ability

encourage physical activity to the limit of the child's capacity

—Morris Fishbein

Legal Definition

capacity

noun

ca·​pac·​i·​ty

plural capacities

1

: a qualification, power, or ability (as to give consent or make a testament) created by operation of law

2

: an individual's ability or aptitude

especially : mental ability as it relates to responsibility for the commission of a crime (as murder) see also diminished capacity compare competency, incapacity, insanity