capacity

noun

kə-ˈpa-sə-tē How to pronounce capacity (audio)
Definition of capacitynext
1
as in volume
the largest number or amount that something can hold the seating capacity of the school auditorium is 800 people

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2
as in position
an assignment at which one regularly works for pay served in the capacity of the network's White House correspondent for a year

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in role
the action for which a person or thing is specially fitted or used or for which a thing exists offered advice in his capacity as a lawyer

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4
as in ability
the physical or mental power to do something not everyone has the capacity for learning higher math

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of capacity According to the International Energy Agency, China added nearly 500 GW of renewable capacity in 2025—more than 60% of the global increase. — Serhiy Tokarev, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2026 Both developments may require additional reviews of their effects on surrounding infrastructure, including water capacity, sewer systems, stormwater management, traffic and utilities. — Lauren Breunig, Baltimore Sun, 7 Nov. 2026 So the job as a coach is trying to make the group work in whatever capacity. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Nov. 2026 Locations include Boston, San Francisco, and New York City, areas where Starlink likely has excess network capacity. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 7 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for capacity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for capacity
  1. volume
  2. position
  3. role
  4. ability
  5. load
  6. job
  7. purpose
  8. capability
Noun
  • The third stage fits within an interstage, preserving the full fairing volume for customer payloads.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The book’s more than 300 pages draw from the outlet’s vast archive to produce a volume that details Atlanta’s transformation over the last 150 years.
    — AJC.com, AJC.com, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of volume
Noun
  • Dhillon, a Sikh who was born in India and immigrated to the United States as a child, was a prominent figure in conservative legal and political circles even before being tapped to her Justice Department position.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Nov. 2026
  • This early risk awareness later defined his policy position, as Knot gained a reputation during his tenure as Dutch central bank governor for aggressively combating inflation, enforcing fiscal discipline, and safeguarding financial stability.
    — , CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of position
Noun
  • The Olympic Games are less than two years away, and the sheriff’s department will be expected to play a major role in keeping millions of visitors and athletes safe.
    — Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Evers said Crowley also played a large role in negotiations on a $500 million deal to upgrade the baseball stadium where the Milwaukee Brewers play and to keep the team in the city through 2050.
    — Maayan Silver, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of role
Noun
  • Among those skills is the ability to ask meaningful questions.
    — Washington Post, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Their deployment will help military personnel maintain improved awareness of unmanned aircraft activity and strengthen the ability to identify potential threats to personnel, military installations and other critical assets.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of ability
Noun
  • The successful campaign allowed engineers to assess how the magnet deforms under electromagnetic loads and compare its behavior with structural models.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Rubber gaskets and seals help prevent leaks, especially in front-load models.
    — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of load
Noun
  • Eco effort The hotel has achieved the highest level of BREEAM certification for its sustainability performance and has brought 650 new jobs to the area.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Becerra’s road to the state’s top job involved surviving a bruising June primary campaign that featured a crowded field of Democrats.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of job
Noun
  • North Korea’s Missile Administration said its cluster warheads fall into four categories, depending on their intended purpose.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The flashback structure doesn’t serve much of a purpose except to delay the audience’s complete endorsement of a character who, though appropriately cantankerous, is unambiguously a hero and nice guy.
    — Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of purpose
Noun
  • GuangYu utilized extensive in-house manufacturing capabilities to wrap the chassis in lightweight carbon-fiber panels to create a vehicle that delivers a staggering 370 hp per metric ton.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Modular mission systems could become an important component of this transition by allowing different platforms to incorporate specialised capabilities as required.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of capability

Browse Nearby Words

capacities
capacity
caparison
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Cite this Entry

“Capacity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/capacity. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on capacity

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about capacity

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