Capacity

Pronunciation

• Template:IPA
• Template:SAMPA
• Template:Audio

Noun

1. Template:Cu noun; Template:Singular The capacity of a container, room, etc. is how much it can hold.

   The capacity of the bottle is 500 $ml$.

   The capacity of the hard drive is 120 GB.

   I'm sorry, this pool only has a capacity of 100 people and I can't let any more in.

   If you fill it to capacity, you won't be able to carry it.

2. Template:Countable The capacity of someone or something to do something is the ability to do it.

   I was impressed by his energy and capacity for hard work.

   Since the head injury he has lost his capacity to learn new names.

3. Template:Uncountable The capacity of a factory or business is how much it can produce.

   It will soon be necessary to increase capacity at our Toronto plant to meet Canadian demand for the product.

4. Template:Countable If someone does something in a particular capacity, they are doing it in that role.

   I am not writing to you in my capacity as your doctor, but as a friend.

   Sometimes I make decisions in my capacity as father that I don't like in my capacity as husband.

   He's been hired in a temporary capacity.

Related words

• capacitance