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

Love features elite size (6-0, 214), patience and balance — check this out or even this — on top of home run capabilities with TD runs of 98 and 94 yards the last two seasons. —Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Dec. 2025

The deal is really a testament to the vitality of the Aventura submarket, Miami’s broader market tailwinds, and most evidently, our teams’ capabilities. —Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 3 Dec. 2025

An impressive array of pockets offers superior organizational capabilities, and the exterior is made from a water-repellent, lightweight fabric that’s suitable for everyday use. —Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 3 Dec. 2025

This capability could support future onboard sensing systems. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Dec. 2025

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