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capacity
/kəˈpæsəti/
maximum amount something can contain
The stadium has a capacity of 50,000 spectators.
This means it can hold up to 50,000 people.
general
The maximum amount or number that something can contain or hold.
The water tank has a capacity of 1,000 liters.
It can hold up to 1,000 liters of water.
Her capacity for forgiveness is truly inspiring.
She has a great ability to forgive others.
Can refer to physical containers, abstract concepts like memory, or personal abilities.
general
The ability or power to do, experience, or understand something.
He has the capacity to lead the team effectively.
He is capable of leading the team well.
The new software has increased processing capacity.
The software can now handle more data or tasks.
Often used to describe potential or ability rather than current performance.
Collocations
full capacityat maximum possible levellimited capacityrestricted or small amountcapacity crowda crowd at maximum attendance
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Physical vs. Abstract
Capacity can refer to physical space (e.g., a tank) or abstract concepts (e.g., memory or ability).
Common Prepositions
Use 'for' to specify what the capacity is for (e.g., 'capacity for love').
Gold Rule
Avoid Confusion
Do not confuse with 'capability', which refers to the ability to do something, while 'capacity' can refer to both ability and physical space.
Word Origin
From Middle French 'capacité', from Latin 'capacitas', from 'capax' meaning 'able to hold much'.
Usage Notes
Can be used for physical containers, abstract concepts, or personal abilities. Often followed by 'for' to specify what the capacity is for.
Word Breakdown
capac
able to hold
root-ity
quality or state of
suffixEnglish Dictionary