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

• credentials
• goods
• qualification
• 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

These efforts demonstrated a capability for governance beyond the battlefield, hinting at a pragmatic shift. —Guney Yildiz, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024

This satellite will provide broadband internet and communications capability for public use facilities in Indonesia’s rural regions. —Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 8 Dec. 2024

Following years of budgetary uncertainty and arbitrary spending caps, weapons procurements and advanced military capabilities have been the billpayers for penny-pinchers in Congress and the White House. —Todd Harrison, TIME, 7 Dec. 2024

Facilities also will have the capability to stream every game through the Sports Engine Play youth sports streaming platform. —Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see capable

First Known Use

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing capability

• nuclear capability