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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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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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 The district had worked with SYDKIMYL in some capacity since 2019, but the expansive new contract would have Kimberly provide coaching for principals at 10 CMS middle schools as well as three assistant superintendents. — Charlotte Observer, 10 Oct. 2026 Over cries of foul from those who came in person, the board’s attorney Shayla Myers announced the meeting was canceled because the Zoom channel had a capacity of only 1,000. — Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026 Wood said importers need visibility into changing costs, capacity and trade conditions, along with the flexibility to adjust sourcing and routing decisions. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026 In the portable power category, a good handle matters just as much as battery capacity, and Jackery got this one right. — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 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 group’s North America business returned to volume-share growth in calendar year 2025 and fiscal year 2026, after a significant period of decline.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Only its convenient foods division in Europe, the Middle East and Africa reported declining volume, of 1%.
    — Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of volume
Noun
  • The clash added another layer to a campaign in which el Sayed’s positions on foreign policy and his associations with prominent progressive figures have become points of contention.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026
  • While Spencer Jones is still a work in progress defensively in center, Grisham certainly shouldn’t be patrolling the position for the Yankees moving forward.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of position
Noun
  • Malhotra, one of India’s most experienced execs and producers, launched Abundantia back in 2013 after exiting a role as COO of Viacom18 Motion Pictures and a shorter spell leading Balaji Motion Pictures.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Misheck Mutize, AfCRA’s chief architect, acknowledged that the agency’s main role would be to steer Africa’s $4 trillion savings into African assets rather than changing how foreign investors see the continent.
    — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of role
Noun
  • So far, Siemens has managed to persuade companies to share their data in return for access to its AI model and the ability to request new use cases.
    — Sam Forsdick, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
  • If future laws change to allow recognition of AI agents and/or their human creators as discoverers (with or without human collaborators), how might this affect accountability, ownership, and the ability to profit from discoveries?
    — Jeffrey S. Flier, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of ability
Noun
  • Such truckers work load to load and often can’t raise rates when fuel prices spike, the way their larger competitors can.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
  • SpaceX is already running a massive load of Nvidia AI chips and has plans to add to it.
    — Seema Mody, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of load
Noun
  • Following the ruling, Benson drowns her sorrows over cocktails with Sharpe, and, in a revealing, impeccably acted scene, airs out her grievances about her job.
    — Marlow Stern, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Hey, the boss needs a favor In a November 2025 Reddit post, one person described buying $800 in Target gift cards on their second day at a new job after receiving an email impersonating their boss.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of job
Noun
  • Other independents in the Senate, including Maine's Angus King on the moderate end and Vermont's Bernie Sanders on the left, caucus with Democrats for organizational purposes and committee assignments.
    — NICHOLAS INGRAM, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
  • These varietals are not only tolerant to the high desert environment, but they were also planted with the sole purpose of conserving water and controlling run-off.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of purpose
Noun
  • The latest contract modification will add two craft to the Navy’s ongoing procurement program, supporting its efforts to maintain and strengthen the capabilities required for modern amphibious operations.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Still, the satellite’s cooling capabilities mean Google will run their chips for 15 minutes at a time before shutting them down to cool off, NPR reported.
    — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 10 Oct. 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 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on capacity

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about capacity

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