ca·pac·i·ty
kə-ˈpa-sə-tē 
-ˈpa-stē
plural capacities
1
: legal competency (see competence sense 1) or fitness
capacity to stand trial
2
a
: the potential or suitability for holding, storing, or accommodating
a large seating capacity
b
: the maximum amount or number that can be contained or accommodated
a jug with a one-gallon capacity
the auditorium was filled to capacity
see Metric System Table, Weights and Measures Table
3
5
: the facility or power to produce, perform, or deploy : capability
a plan to double the factory's capacity
also
: maximum output
industries running at three-quarter capacity
6
a
b
: the quantity of electricity that a battery can deliver under specified conditions
: equaling maximum capacity
a capacity crowd
Examples of capacity in a Sentence
Noun
The nightclub has a 1,000-person capacity.
a bottle with a capacity of two liters
Does he have the capacity to handle this job?
The disease causes a deterioration of breathing capacity.
He was acting in his capacity as judge.
serving in a supervisory capacity
Recent Examples on the Web
Wendy Edelberg and Tara Watson, TIME, 5 Apr. 2024
Early estimates figure that 42 million people felt the earthquake in some capacity, but perhaps nobody capitalized on the moment more than Ice Spice thanks to her witty humor and self-awareness.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 5 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for capacity 
Noun
In other words, the increase in productive capacity helped to counteract inflationary pressures that would arise from more people living in the U.S.
—Wendy Edelberg and Tara Watson, TIME, 5 Apr. 2024
Early estimates figure that 42 million people felt the earthquake in some capacity, but perhaps nobody capitalized on the moment more than Ice Spice thanks to her witty humor and self-awareness.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 5 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for capacity
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'capacity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near capacity
Cite this Entry
“Capacity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/capacity. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
capacity
noun
ca·pac·i·ty
kə-ˈpas-ət-ē, -ˈpas-tē
plural capacities
1
a
: the ability to hold, receive, store, or accommodate
b
: a measure of content : the measured ability to contain : volume
a beaker with a capacity of one liter
see vital capacity
c(1)
(2)
: the quantity of electricity that a battery can deliver under specified conditions
2
: legal qualification, competency, power, or fitness
3
a
: power to grasp and analyze ideas and cope with problems
b
: blended power, strength, and ability
encourage physical activity to the limit of the child's capacity—Morris Fishbein
Morris FishbeinLove words? Need even more definitions?
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