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

Liphardt notes that practical apps, such as floor cleaning or laundry assistance, will appear as robotics capabilities advance. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 Jan. 2026

These can include sabotaging infrastructure to foment unrest, subtly interfering with training exercises to undermine Arctic capabilities, and exploiting divisions in adversarial alliances. —Tristan Bove, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026

This satellite will provide broadband internet and communications capability for public use facilities in Indonesia’s rural regions. —Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2026

Tablets with cellular capability can also be donated to people who need a way to communicate during emergencies. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 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