capacity
kuh-PAS-ih-tee
Capacity (noun) means the greatest amount that something can hold, contain, or produce. Example: “The lift has a maximum capacity of eight people, so we waited for the next one.”
noun
1
The greatest amount that something can hold, contain, or produce.
"The lift has a maximum capacity of eight people, so we waited for the next one."
"The stadium has a seating capacity of sixty thousand."
"The factory is running at full capacity this month."
2
A person's ability or mental power to do or understand something.
"Children have an amazing capacity to learn a new language quickly."
"Her capacity for remembering names surprised everyone at the party."
"He has a real capacity for hard work."
3
A role or position in which someone acts.
"He spoke at the event in his capacity as club treasurer."
"In my capacity as a volunteer, I help new members find their way."
"She attended the meeting in her capacity as legal advisor."
How to use capacity
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHow much something can hold or produce, or how well someone can do something.
Common pairings
full capacity
storage capacity
in his capacity as
capacity to learn
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Word forms
- Plural
- capacities
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Can you complete this real example?
The lift has a maximum _____ of eight people, so we waited for the next one.
Etymology
From Latin capacitas, from capax ("able to hold much"), from capere ("to take, hold, seize") — the same root behind "capable" and "capture."
Synonyms
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volume
size
room
space
limit
output
content
capability
capacitance
mental ability
electrical capacity
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for capacity
See all rhymes for capacity →Frequently asked questions
What does “capacity” mean?
The word “capacity” means the greatest amount that something can hold, contain, or produce. In plain terms, how much something can hold or produce, or how well someone can do something.
How do you pronounce “capacity”?
“Capacity” is pronounced kuh-PAS-ih-tee (/kəˈpæs.ɪ.ti/ in IPA).
How do you use “capacity” in a sentence?
Here is “capacity” used in a sentence: “The stadium has a seating capacity of sixty thousand.”
What part of speech is “capacity”?
“Capacity” is a noun.
Where does the word “capacity” come from?
The word “capacity” comes from Latin. From Latin capacitas, from capax ("able to hold much"), from capere ("to take, hold, seize") — the same root behind "capable" and "capture.".
Is “capacity” a common word?
“Capacity” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “capacity” have?
“Capacity” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the greatest amount that something can hold, contain, or produce.
What is the difference between capacity and volume?
Volume is the amount of space something actually occupies or contains right now. Capacity is the maximum it could hold. A jug has a fixed capacity of one litre, but the volume of water in it changes as you pour. Capacity is the limit; volume is the current quantity.
What are the different meanings of capacity?
Capacity has several senses. It can mean the most something can hold or produce, as with a stadium's capacity or a factory's output. It can mean mental or physical ability — the capacity to learn. It can also mean a role someone holds, as in 'acting in my capacity as chairman.'
How is capacity measured?
It depends on what is being held or produced. Liquid capacity is measured in litres or gallons, a venue's capacity in the number of people or seats, a battery's in ampere-hours, and a factory's in units produced per period. In every case it expresses the maximum the thing can manage.
What is an example of capacity?
A lift rated for eight people, a fuel tank that holds fifty litres, or a theatre with two thousand seats all show capacity — the greatest amount each can take. Producing at full capacity means a factory is making as much as it possibly can with its current resources.
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