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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

carrying capacity

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

Luke read a sentence at random: “While debate continues over the carrying capacity of the earth—” He skipped ahead.

From "Among the Hidden" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

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