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 Bikes have significantly less space, power, and computing capacity compared to cars. — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 4 July 2026 The International Rescue Committee (IRC) says hospitals and health centers continue operating under heavy strain while many temporary shelters remain at or near capacity. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026 Soon, the National Museum of African American History and Culture was at capacity. — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 4 July 2026 Rather than pursuing one clear objective, Mars has the strength, energy and mental capacity to entertain several ideas, conversations and conflicts simultaneously when transiting this Air sign. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 3 July 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 structure is a massive concrete cylinder, 50 meters wide and 30 meters deep, held up by pillars sunk deep into the ground, capable of holding 50,000 cubic meters of stormwater — roughly the volume of 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
    — Camille Knight, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
  • That reverses a downtrend in April and May, when volume fell.
    — Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 4 July 2026
Definition of volume
Noun
  • Injuries, pitching problems, batting with runners in scoring position and base-running issues all come to mind quickly.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 11 July 2026
  • His performance in any of these positions is at the top level.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 11 July 2026
Definition of position
Noun
  • The pieces of it that Weiden shares with us, including a passage about Native athletes’ crucial role in the early history of the sport of football, are eye-opening.
    — Chris Hewitt, Boston Herald, 10 July 2026
  • Symoné, who is reprising her role as Galleria, will also serve as an executive producer alongside Debra Martin Chase, according to Disney.
    — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 9 July 2026
Definition of role
Noun
  • Derived from a Central African shrub, the drug's ability to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings were uncovered by accident, when Howard Lotsof, a 19-year old addicted to heroin, tried ibogaine out of curiosity in 1962.
    — Gavin Escott, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • The Warriors will likely ask Lendeborg to defend multiple positions during the regular season, and those block were an encouraging sign of his ability to do just that.
    — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 6 July 2026
Definition of ability
Noun
  • MetroLoft added roughly 18,000 square feet to 15 upper floors, and the additional load caused two columns to bend, Berman said.
    — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 9 July 2026
  • At a press conference at the site, Buildings Commissioner Ahmed Tigani said that the city was bringing in emergency beams and columns to help shore up some of the unstable building’s load.
    — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 8 July 2026
Definition of load
Noun
  • Last year’s grants paid for things like job skills training aimed at retaining nonprofit employees, specialized accounting services and a marketing program for thrift stores.
    — Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 10 July 2026
  • The Dream, however, snapped back to finish the job and put themselves back in the win column for the first time since June 22.
    — Micahya Costen, AJC.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of job
Noun
  • However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
    — Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 9 July 2026
  • First, only players with three years of NBA experience are eligible (even a portion of a season in the NBA counts as a year for two-way purposes).
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2026
Definition of purpose
Noun
  • Apple Intelligence and Siri AI capabilities will require specific hardware, effectively compelling users with older devices to upgrade for the full experience.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
  • National plans envisage developing the capability to design, build and eventually export indigenous submarines during the 2040s.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 4 July 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 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on capacity

Nglish: Translation of capacity for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about capacity

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