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 sinking has damaged part of the Friant-Kern Canal, a major water conduit for farms, reducing its carrying capacity and requiring $326 million in repairs.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

"During the mid-MP, climatic improvements increased the region's carrying capacity, leading to demographic expansion and intensified contact between different Homo taxa."

From Science Daily • Apr. 12, 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

Available seat miles, an industry measure of carrying capacity, rose 0.9% in the third quarter, but passenger revenue per available seat mile was down 3.7% from last year.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 28, 2025

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