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capacity

[ kuh-pas-i-tee ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

plural capacities.

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.
Synonyms:
power of receiving impressions, knowledge, etc.; mental ability:
the capacity to learn calculus.
Synonyms: ,
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.
Synonyms: , , ,
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.
1. capacitance.
2. maximum possible output.

adjective

reaching maximum capacity:
a capacity audience;
a capacity crowd.

capacity

/ ��əˈ��æ��ɪ��ɪ /

noun

the ability or power to contain, absorb, or hold
the amount that can be contained; volume
a capacity of six gallons
1. the maximum amount something can contain or absorb (esp in the phrase filled to capacity )
2. ( as modifier )
  a capacity crowd
the ability to understand or learn; aptitude; capability
he has a great capacity for Greek
the ability to do or produce (often in the phrase at capacity )
the factory's output was not at capacity
a specified position or function
he was employed in the capacity of manager
a measure of the electrical output of a piece of apparatus such as a motor, generator, or accumulator
electronics a former name for capacitance
computing
1. the number of words or characters that can be stored in a particular storage device
2. the range of numbers that can be processed in a register
the bit rate that a communication channel or other system can carry
legal competence
the capacity to make a will

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Word History and Origins

Origin of capacity¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English capacite, capasite, from Middle French, from Latin ��峦��-, stem of ��峦�� “ability, understanding,” equivalent to ��峦��- (stem of �� “confident, fit, roomy,” equivalent to cap(ere) “to take, seize” + -��, adjective suffix) + -�� -ty ²

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Word History and Origins

Origin of capacity¹

C15: from Old French capacite, from Latin ��峦��, from �� spacious, from capere to take

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Dylan’s been to Kalamazoo six times since 1978 and was last at the 3,500 capacity Miller Theater on the Western Michigan University Campus in 2010.

From

Congressional action requires the Department of Health and Human Services to maintain Head Start at its current funding and staffing levels and ensure current capacity as mandated by the Head Start Act, the suit said.

From

The capacity of the Welsh public sector was described as being "at breaking point" due to rising demand and years of austerity.

From

They have also upped the electrical capacity so that about 50% of the total power output will come from the electrical part of the engine, and will run on 100% sustainable fuel.

From

The current and former federal judges who filed the suit as residents, not in any official capacity, disagree with that line of defense.

From

Related Words

capacitor cap and bells

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