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

Packing more cells onto a slightly bigger ship could usefully increase US capabilities. —Editorial, Boston Herald, 30 May 2026

Blue Origin’s mishap will inevitably affect the company’s capabilities for other NASA missions, too. —Lee Billings, Scientific American, 29 May 2026

The firm is expanding its reach while refining its advisory and investment capabilities, supported by Kwok’s ongoing involvement in every aspect of the business. —Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 29 May 2026

Anthropic and its peers are releasing these capabilities carefully, giving defenders a head start. —Philip Martin, Fortune, 29 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