capability

noun

ca·​pa·​bil·​i·​ty ˌkā-pə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce capability (audio)
plural capabilities
Synonyms of capability
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

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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
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.
Its planned refueling capability is particularly interesting. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026 Together, these developments show an emphasis on expanding capability while improving affordability and production capacity. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026 Nevertheless, for investors willing to develop that capability, international sourcing can create access to businesses that domestic-only buyers overlook. — Chris Russo, Sportico.com, 24 Oct. 2026 Its capabilities are already outgrowing the benchmarks built to measure them; moreover, a model of the same level becomes tens of times cheaper within a year. — Dmytro Korchevskyi, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for capability

Word History

First Known Use

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of capability was in 1587

Phrases Containing capability

Rhymes for capability

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Browse Nearby Words

capa
capability
capable
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Cite this Entry

“Capability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/capability. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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