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

The capability to recover and reuse boosters is one competitor SpaceX has also long perfected with its 230-foot Falcon 9 – the most active rocket in the world. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2026

When Muse Spark rolls out to Meta's AI glasses, this capability becomes especially interesting. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2026

Under Lyons’ tenure, the agency received substantial congressional funding to dramatically expand arrests, hiring and detention capabilities. —Tia Goldenberg, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026

Fortunately, a range of major appliance companies and specialists sell wine fridges with various capacities, capabilities, and price points. —Emily Saladino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Apr. 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