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.
The company demonstrated the capabilities during a July 15 flight test at its headquarters in Byron, California. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026 The system administrator should have different capabilities than a patrol officer. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026 Agricultural production technologies and weather forecasting capabilities have also improved substantially, all of which could help the market absorb part of the supply shocks. — CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026 For this reason, OpenAI is giving only certain partners access to Astra’s most advanced cyber capabilities, the company shared earlier this week. — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 3 Sep. 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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