capability

[ key-puh-bil-i-tee ]

/ ˌkeɪ pəˈbɪl ɪ ti /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR capability ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural ca·pa·bil·i·ties.

the quality of being capable; capacity; ability: His capability was unquestionable.

the ability to undergo or be affected by a given treatment or action: the capability of glass in resisting heat.

Usually capabilities. qualities, abilities, features, etc., that can be used or developed; potential: Though dilapidated, the house has great capabilities.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

cap-haitien, cap., cap. moll., capa, capa, robert, capability, capablanca, capable, capacious, capaciously, capacitance

Origin of capability

1580–90; (< Middle French capabilité) < Late Latin capābili(s) capable + -ty²

Related formso·ver·ca·pa·bil·i·ty, noun, plural o·ver·ca·pa·bil·i·ties.su·per·ca·pa·bil·i·ty, noun, plural su·per·ca·pa·bil·i·ties.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for capabilities

In short, we would make it clear to the world and the potential recruits that ISIS has fatally overstepped its capabilities.
Airstrikes Against ISIS Are Tactics. Here's a Strategy|Daniel L. Davis|September 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He added: “The assets and capabilities we wanted were there to ensure we could deal with any threat, any eventuality.”
U.S. Diplomats and Marines Close Embassy and Flee Libya Fighting|Jamie Dettmer|July 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
All the Americans, from FDR down, underestimated the capabilities of their adversary, and exaggerated their own.
D-Day Was The Largest And One Of The Bloodiest Invasions In History|James A. Warren|June 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
What is fascinating about this list isn't just that it tells us what capabilities U.S. special operations forces want.
Special Ops’ Weapons Wish List|Michael Peck|April 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST

They, too, would be acutely nervous about revealing the capabilities of their assets.
The Worst Place in the World for MH370 to Go Missing|Clive Irving|April 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She knew her capabilities, well-tried in some sixty odd years of unprotected spinsterhood.
The Backwoodsmen|Charles G. D. Roberts
Now came a further trial of the capabilities of the wonderful new craft which, so far, had proven such a success.
The Boy Aviators' Flight for a Fortune|Wilbur Lawton
"I see capabilities in it—capabilities in it, sir," cried the Captain.
The History of Pendennis|William Makepeace Thackeray
They have a splendid country, and its capabilities are now only beginning to be known.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine -- Volume 55, No. 340, February, 1844|Various
If a playwriting husband cant fit his own wife, then his capabilities must surely be limited.
Ainslee's, Vol. 15, No. 6, July 1905|Various

British Dictionary definitions for capabilities

capability

/ (ˌkeɪpəˈbɪlɪtɪ) /

noun plural -ties

the quality of being capable; ability

the quality of being susceptible to the use or treatment indicatedthe capability of a metal to be fused

(usually plural) a characteristic that may be developed; potential aptitude

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for capabilities

capability

1580s, from capable + -ity. Capabilities "undeveloped faculty or property" is attested from 1778.