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

Wireless capabilities include Wi-Fi and Apple AirPlay. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026

This satellite will provide broadband internet and communications capability for public use facilities in Indonesia’s rural regions. —Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026

In this regard, strategic collaboration through an enterprise partnership can help expand the capabilities of both businesses, resulting in win-win solutions for everyone involved. —Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 1 May 2026

Expanding drone inventory and capabilities The larger drone inventory shows how important smaller unmanned systems will be in future missions. —Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 1 May 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