ca|pac|i|ty

ca|pac|i|ty «kuh PAS swa> tee», noun, plural -ties, adjective.

–n.

1. the amount of room or space inside; largest amount that can be held by a container: »

A gallon can has a capacity of 4 quarts.

SYNONYM(S): volume.

2. a) the ability to receive and hold: »

The theater has a seating capacity of 400 people.

b) the ability to withstand some force or perform some function: »

the capacity of a metal for retaining heat.

c) = capacitance. (Cf. ↑capacitance)

3. a) the ability to learn or do; mental power or fitness: »

Benjamin Franklin had a great capacity for learning. Few people have the capacity to apply the theory of relativity to practical problems.

SYNONYM(S): competency. b) the ability to deal with problems, administer work, etc.: »

an executive of great capacity. Not the least of the marks of a military genius is his capacity to bend both subordinates and superiors to his plans of action (Newsweek).

4. a) the physical power or ability to produce: »

the maximum capacity of a machine. Wilson Dam on the Tennessee River has the greatest generating capacity of any TVA dam (Russell Lord).

b) a measure of this ability, especially of a battery or other source of electricity. c) the maximum output: »

The electric generators broke down in the summer because they worked beyond capacity.

5. position or relation: »

She is here in the capacity of teacher.

SYNONYM(S): character.

6. legal power or right; qualification.

–adj.

that reaches or rises to the utmost capacity: »

a capacity crowd.

╂[< Latin capācitās < capāx; see etym. under capacious (Cf. ↑capacious)]