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

Hewlett-Packard Enterprise recently announced similar capabilities for its B10000 Alletra storage systems. —Steve McDowell, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025

But those rules became even stricter under Trump and barred Nvidia from selling the chips in China, even after the company pared down their capabilities. —Kevin Ryan, Quartz, 19 May 2025

The bank said the disruptions in search traffic are likely to become permanent as Google integrates full artificial intelligence search capabilities. —Michelle Fox, CNBC, 19 May 2025

While Washington demands a total halt to Iran's enrichment capabilities, Tehran is vowing to continue its program regardless of any agreement. —Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 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