capability
Americannoun
plural
capabilities-
the quality of being capable; capacity; ability.
His capability was unquestionable.
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the ability to undergo or be affected by a given treatment or action.
the capability of glass in resisting heat.
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Usually capabilities. qualities, abilities, features, etc., that can be used or developed; potential.
Though dilapidated, the house has great capabilities.
noun
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the quality of being capable; ability
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the quality of being susceptible to the use or treatment indicated
the capability of a metal to be fused
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(usually plural) a characteristic that may be developed; potential aptitude
Other Word Forms
- overcapability noun
- supercapability noun
Etymology
Origin of capability
First recorded in 1580–90; from Middle French capabilité, from Late Latin capābili(s) capable + -ty 2
Compare meaning
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This took AI coding capabilities to a new level with agents—software that can use LLMs to accomplish a complex series of tasks from a simple prompt, automating major chunks of the development process.
From Barron's
Tehran may assume that Washington's objectives would be limited to degrading nuclear and missile capabilities.
From BBC
"Iran is a complex society of 90 million people with significant air defences and military capabilities."
From BBC
"But the deadlock of a single pillar should not jeopardise the entire future of this high-tech European capability which will bolster our collective defence," he said.
From Barron's
Without human capability, industrial capabilities, and credible institutions, mineral wealth can entrench dependency rather than reduce it.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
