abil·i·ty
ə-ˈbi-lə-tē 
plural abilities
1
a
: the quality or state of being able
the ability of the soil to hold water
especially
: physical, mental, or legal power to do something
a writer's ability to engage the reader's interest
did the work to the best of her ability [=as well as she could]
b
: competence in doing something : skill
artistic abilities
c
: a person's status with regard to having a disability
—used especially in legal and official statements
These guidelines not only help make web content accessible to users with sensory, cognitive and mobility disabilities, but ultimately to all users, regardless of ability.—
whitehouse.gov
whitehouse.gov2
: natural aptitude or acquired proficiency
students with different abilities
variants
or less commonly -ibility
: capacity, fitness, or tendency to act or be acted on in a (specified) way
agglutinability
Synonyms
Examples of ability in a Sentence
Noun
a young woman with many remarkable musical abilities
a young woman of great musical ability
She has shown some ability with foreign languages.
Recent Examples on the Web
Quartz Bot, Quartz, 15 Nov. 2024
Last year, the U.S. government and the European Commission both published reports on the technology, with the White House proposing a potential research program with one of the objectives being to develop the ability to detect use or experimentation by others.
—Lara Williams, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
Specifically, girls may have more neuroplasticity, which is defined as the brain’s ability to recognize new movements and patterns.
—Discover Magazine, 15 Nov. 2024
Because privacy laws shield the names of firearm purchasers from public view, the data NSSF obtained gave it a unique ability to identify and contact large numbers of gun owners or shooting sports enthusiasts.
—Corey G. Johnson, ProPublica, 15 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ability 
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Noun
This increase is attributed to the full integration of Ranco and its ability to acquire inventory and retain new customers.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 15 Nov. 2024
Last year, the U.S. government and the European Commission both published reports on the technology, with the White House proposing a potential research program with one of the objectives being to develop the ability to detect use or experimentation by others.
—Lara Williams, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
Specifically, girls may have more neuroplasticity, which is defined as the brain’s ability to recognize new movements and patterns.
—Discover Magazine, 15 Nov. 2024
Because privacy laws shield the names of firearm purchasers from public view, the data NSSF obtained gave it a unique ability to identify and contact large numbers of gun owners or shooting sports enthusiasts.
—Corey G. Johnson, ProPublica, 15 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ability
Dictionary Entries Near ability
Cite this Entry
“Ability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ability. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ability
1 of 2 noun
abil·i·ty
ə-ˈbil-ət-ē
plural abilities
1
a
: the quality or state of being able : power to do something
b
: competence in doing : skill
2
: natural or learned skill
-ability
2 of 2 noun suffix
-abil·i·ty
variants
also -ibility
ə-ˈbil-ət-ē
plural -ties
: ability, fitness, or likeliness to act or be acted on in (such) a way
readability
Etymology
Noun suffix
derived from Latin -abilitas, -ibilitas "-ability"
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