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 latest contract modification will add two craft to the Navy’s ongoing procurement program, supporting its efforts to maintain and strengthen the capabilities required for modern amphibious operations. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026 Better missile capability Barely two decades ago, the Houthis were little more than a small religious revivalist movement. — Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2026 Their primary role has been to assess AI model capabilities and risks and to flag instances where the technology behaves badly. — Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 11 Oct. 2026 Still, the satellite’s cooling capabilities mean Google will run their chips for 15 minutes at a time before shutting them down to cool off, NPR reported. — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 10 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 14 Oct. 2026.

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