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

With its PrecisionCore Heat-Free technology, the ink dries quickly to avoid smudging, while the two-sided printing capabilities increase efficiency. —George Yang, PC Magazine, 28 Mar. 2026

The Pentagon has generally lumped it into the first objective of destroying Iran’s missile capability. —ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026

Weiner also touted the NYPD’s network of cameras and sensors, which are monitored by members of the NYPD’s intelligence division, and international liaison officers posted in the Middle East as elements providing the department with early-warning detection capabilities. —Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026

But advertising executives say that, thanks to enhanced targeting capabilities and new ad products, ad tiers have quietly become more lucrative than their ad-free counterparts. —Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 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