¹capacity

noun ca·pac·i·ty \kə-ˈpa-sə-tē, -ˈpas-tē\

: the ability to hold or contain people or things

: the largest amount or number that can be held or contained

: the ability to do something : a mental, emotional, or physical ability

plural ca·pac·i·ties

Full Definition of CAPACITY

: legal competency or fitness <capacity to stand trial>

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, weight table

a : an individual's mental or physical ability : aptitude, skill

b : the faculty or potential for treating, experiencing, or appreciating <capacity for love>

: duty, position, role <will be happy to serve in any capacity>

: 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>

a : capacitance

b : the quantity of electricity that a battery can deliver under specified conditions

See capacity defined for English-language learners

See capacity defined for kids

Origin of CAPACITY

Middle English capacite, from Middle French capacité, from Latin capacitat-, capacitas, from capac-, capax

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to CAPACITY

Synonyms: complement, cubage, real estate, volume

Antonyms: disability, inability, incapability, incapableness, incapacity, incompetence, incompetency, ineptitude, ineptness

Rhymes with CAPACITY

audacity, edacity, fugacity, loquacity, mendacity, opacity, predacity, pugnacity, rapacity, sagacity, sequacity, tenacity, veracity, vivacity, voracity

²capacity

adjective

Definition of CAPACITY

: equaling maximum capacity <a capacity crowd>

First Known Use of CAPACITY

1897

CAPACITY[1] Defined for Kids

capacity

noun ca·pac·i·ty \kə-ˈpa-sə-tē\

plural ca·pac·i·ties

Definition of CAPACITY for Kids

: ability to contain or deal with something <The room has a large seating capacity.> <Factories are working to capacity.>

: mental or physical power <You have the capacity to do better.>

: volume 3 <The tank has a ten-gallon capacity.>

: role 1, status <In your capacity as team captain, you can set a good example.>

Medical Dictionary

capacity

noun ca·pac·i·ty \kə-ˈpas-ət-ē, -ˈpas-tē\

plural ca·pac·i·ties

Medical Definition of CAPACITY

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) : capacitance (2) : the quantity of electricity that a battery can deliver under specified conditions

: legal qualification, competency, power, or fitness

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>