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

Differences also remain in who will control the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the future of Iran’s nuclear enrichment capabilities. —Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026

As part of Project Glasswing, JPMorgan aims to reduce cyber risks stemming from AI’s fast-evolving capabilities. —Jake Angelo, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2026

For instance, industry has distinct knowledge about AI’s emergent capabilities and risks, the efficacy of evaluations, and innovations in model training and alignment. —Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 10 Apr. 2026

Failures in the flight control chain can compromise mission capability. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 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