carrying capacity

American  

[kar-ee-ing kuh-pas-i-tee] / ˈkær i ɪŋ kəˌpæs ɪ ti /

noun

Ecology.

1. the maximum, equilibrium number of organisms of a particular species that can be supported indefinitely in a given environment. K

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carrying capacity British  

noun

1. ecology the maximum number of individuals that an area of land can support, usually determined by their food requirements

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carrying capacity Scientific  

/ kăr′ē-ĭng /

1. The maximum population of a particular organism that a given environment can support without detrimental effects.

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carrying capacity Cultural  

1. In ecology, the number of living things that can exist for long periods in a given area without damaging the environment.

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Etymology

Origin of carrying capacity

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

The research, published in Environmental Research Letters, concludes that humanity has already surpassed Earth's sustainable carrying capacity.

From Science Daily • May 27, 2026

Other entrants include Figure AI’s F.03 robot, introduced in October, which stands about 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs about 135 pounds, with a carrying capacity of 44 pounds.

From Barron's • Feb. 6, 2026

United said its carrying capacity, or the number of seats if offered, was up 7.2% for the quarter.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 15, 2025

It could also be that turkey populations overshot their carrying capacity in the '80s and '90s and are now declining to a “new normal,” Kaminski said.

From Salon • Nov. 28, 2024

In the world, the carrying capacity for humans is limited.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver