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
Vidya Plainfield, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Uncaged Innovations is scaled up for full roll-to-roll production of Elevate through a partner factory in New York that can produce more than a million square meters of material a year, and has two additional factories lined up to increase capacity.
—Rhonda Richford, WWD, 20 Nov. 2024
Mike Richard, Men's Health, 24 Nov. 2022
See all Example Sentences for capacity 
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Noun
Many of us in business recognize the capacity of AI to enhance our work, boost our productivity and drive us to new heights of innovation.
—Vidya Plainfield, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Uncaged Innovations is scaled up for full roll-to-roll production of Elevate through a partner factory in New York that can produce more than a million square meters of material a year, and has two additional factories lined up to increase capacity.
—Rhonda Richford, WWD, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
This heavy-duty, super-capacity duffle is no exception.
—Mike Richard, Men's Health, 24 Nov. 2022
See all Example Sentences for capacity
Dictionary Entries Near capacity
Cite this Entry
“Capacity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/capacity. Accessed 1 Dec. 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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