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

Among Joe Biden’s afflictions and miseries, his wormwood and gall, there are the insults (about his diminished capacities), and then there are the compliments unpaid (about his achievements). —Nicholas Lemann, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024

Since 2017, Toh has worked in various capacities, including finance, M&A, strategic management, and HR development. —Greg McKenna, Fortune, 28 Oct. 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