capability

The word “capability” means the power, skill, or resources needed to do something. In plain terms, what someone or something is able to do.

“Capability” is pronounced kay-puh-BIHL-ih-tee (/ˌkeɪ.pəˈbɪl.ə.ti/ in IPA).

Here is “capability” used in a sentence: “The new engine gives the aircraft greater range capability.”

“Capability” is a noun.

“Capability” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

Ability usually refers to a skill or power a person actually has, while capability stresses the capacity, resources, or potential to do something when required. Capability is also the natural choice for organisations, systems, and machines — "the network's capability" — whereas ability tends to be used of people. In many sentences the two are interchangeable.

Capacity often describes the maximum amount something can hold, produce, or handle, as in the capacity of a stadium or a battery. Capability describes the power, skill, or resources needed to actually do something. Broadly, capacity is about limits and volume, while capability is about what can be done.

Both patterns appear in edited writing: "the capability of processing data" and "the capability to process data" are each acceptable, with the "to do" pattern now the more common. Note the contrast with the adjective: you are "capable of doing" something, never "capable to do" it.