the ability to receive or contain: This hotel has a large capacity.
the maximum amount or number that can be received or contained; cubic contents; volume: The inn is filled to capacity. The gasoline tank has a capacity of 20 gallons.
power of receiving impressions, knowledge, etc.; mental ability: the capacity to learn calculus.
actual or potential ability to perform, yield, or withstand: He has a capacity for hard work. The capacity of the oil well was 150 barrels a day. She has the capacity to go two days without sleep.
quality or state of being susceptible to a given treatment or action: Steel has a high capacity to withstand pressure.
position; function; role: He served in the capacity of legal adviser.
legal qualification.
Electricity.
capacitance.
maximum possible output.
adjective
reaching maximum capacity: a capacity audience; a capacity crowd.
Origin of capacity
1375–1425; late Middle English capacite<Middle French <Latin capācitāt- (stem of capācitās), equivalent to capāci-, stem of capāx roomy (cap(ere) to hold + -āci- adj. suffix) + -tāt--ty2
SYNONYMS FOR capacity
2 dimensions, amplitude.
3 endowment, talent, gifts.
4 aptitude, adequacy, competence, capability.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR capacity ON THESAURUS.COM
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH capacity
ability, capacity
Words nearby capacity
capacitation, capacitive, capacitive coupling, capacitive reactance, capacitor, capacity, capactin, cap and bells, cap and gown, cap and trade, Capaneus