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 of capability

• qualification
• ability
• expertise
• talent
• 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

There is also a District Direct mobile app that offers the same capabilities. —Mike Stunson, USA Today, 8 May 2026

The Métiers d’Art collections celebrate the capabilities of the specialty ateliers Chanel has acquired. —Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 8 May 2026

Russia soon augmented its capabilities by acquiring Shahed-131 and Shahed-136 loitering munitions from Iran. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026

The upcoming Apple glasses also aren’t currently slated to offer this capability, according to people familiar with the products. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 May 2026

Word History

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