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

Responding to three years of airspace violations, Spinu suggested, has allowed Romanian and allied pilots and commanders to study Russian munitions, flight patterns and capabilities -- plus their own abilities in engaging such threats. — David Brennan, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026

Low-speed vehicles are a step above a golf cart but fall short of the capabilities of conventional passenger cars. — Beth Livesay, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Although Ukraine first warned that North Korean troops were using attack drones on their territory last October, this is the first indication the new wave of troops will have this capability. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

Since then, Claude has gone through more than 20 new versions and developed superhuman hacking capabilities. — Emelia S. Probasco, Foreign Affairs, 20 Aug. 2026

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