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 design also leaves additional capacity across several spacecraft systems. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026 Applied Aerospace has 40% structural excess capacity, giving it a competitive advantage. — Harvey Stober, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026 Critics say the drive to buy local goods can inflate costs where domestic suppliers lack capacity, opening the door to middlemen who resell imports. — Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026 Rather than betting heavily on one care model, fund scalable platforms, partnerships and modular capacity that can shift as patient demand changes. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 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
  • According to Polymarket’s own newsy reconstruction in its magazine-like imprint The Oracle, more than $21 million eventually traded in that one market, while Biden’s withdrawal produced the platform’s highest-volume day to that point.
    — Simon Denny, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Creator volume climbed 66% year over year to 22,100 creators, while creator frequency increased 6%.
    — Fernanda Tronco, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of volume
Noun
  • Before Torres was appointed to the administrative position, his salary as a police officer was $135,000.
    — Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The New York representative has been a big name in the Democratic Socialists of America as socialists establish a political foothold in positions across the country.
    — Mackenzie Chase, The Washington Examiner, 1 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
  • Her first job as CEO in 2014 was to remake the century-old company’s corporate culture and regain customers’ trust following a tragic, reputation-wrecking ignition-switch crisis.
    — Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
  • But when Angus shows up at Johnny’s job and makes fun of him in front of all his corporate-jerk friends, Johnny stands up for himself via a right hook.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 2 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 island has hosted a Ground Self-Defense Force garrison since 2016, while Tokyo has plans to add additional air-defense capabilities in the coming years.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The South Korean military, which often accuses North Korea of exaggerating its military capabilities, did not immediately comment on Kim's claims.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 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 8 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on capacity

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about capacity

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