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

Now, the Federal Trade Commission has ordered the company to pay for making these claims about the mask’s capabilities, forcing the company to refund the money of every customer who bought one—to the tune of over a million dollars. —Boone Ashworth, WIRED, 4 May 2024

Different versions include different features and levels of off-road capability, such as 35-inch tires for better ground clearance and upgraded shock absorbers. —Phoebe Wall Howard, Detroit Free Press, 4 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

see capable

First Known Use

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing capability

• nuclear capability