capability

[key-puh-bil-i-tee]

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.

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. 2018

Examples from the Web for capabilities

Contemporary Examples

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
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
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
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
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

Historical Examples

He sees at once the capabilities of a tale, but he will not use it except he may do with it what he pleases.
A Dish Of Orts
George MacDonald
They are strangely suggestive of the capabilities of the art.
Leading Articles on Various Subjects
Hugh Miller
He was daily growing to have a higher opinion of her wisdom and capabilities.
Fair Harbor
Joseph Crosby Lincoln
He would have been the last to blame her for this; her estimate of his capabilities was like his own, that was all.
Shavings
Joseph C. Lincoln
His capabilities may be small or great; if he but use them all, he is a success.
A Forest Hearth: A Romance of Indiana in the Thirties
Charles Major

British Dictionary definitions for capabilities

capability

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

n.

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

capability

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}capability

Examples from the Web for capabilities

Contemporary Examples

In short, we would make it clear to the world and the potential recruits that ISIS has fatally overstepped its capabilities.

He added: “The assets and capabilities we wanted were there to ensure we could deal with any threat, any eventuality.”

All the Americans, from FDR down, underestimated the capabilities of their adversary, and exaggerated their own.

What is fascinating about this list isn't just that it tells us what capabilities U.S. special operations forces want.

They, too, would be acutely nervous about revealing the capabilities of their assets.

Historical Examples

He sees at once the capabilities of a tale, but he will not use it except he may do with it what he pleases.

They are strangely suggestive of the capabilities of the art.

He was daily growing to have a higher opinion of her wisdom and capabilities.

He would have been the last to blame her for this; her estimate of his capabilities was like his own, that was all.

His capabilities may be small or great; if he but use them all, he is a success.

capability

Word Origin and History for capabilities

capability

n.

Origin of capability