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

• credentials
• goods
• qualification
• 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

Certainly their general partners, Russia and China, have immense cyber capability. —Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 24 June 2025

Iran has proved willing to target countries with stronger cyber capabilities than itself, according to a 2024 threat assessment from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. —Bailey Schulz, USA Today, 24 June 2025

Iran is considered one of the top four nation-state adversaries against the U.S., in addition to China, Russia and North Korea — countries that Tehran could also team up with to overcome any gaps in their cyber capabilities. —Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 24 June 2025

For example, digital and advanced load board usage is now a staple in auto transport, but new capabilities are being developed in real time. —Bek Abdullayev, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

see capable

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