capacity
- 1) noun, the ability or power to contain, absorb, or hold
- 2) noun, the amount that can be contained; volume
- 3) noun, a) the maximum amount something can contain or absorb (esp in the phrase filled to capacity) b) (as modifier)
- 4) noun, the ability to understand or learn; aptitude; capability
- 5) noun, the ability to do or produce (often in the phrase at capacity)
- 6) noun, a specified position or function
- 7) noun, a measure of the electrical output of a piece of apparatus such as a motor, generator, or accumulator
- 8) noun, electronics. a former name for capacitance
- 9) noun, computing a) the number of words or characters that can be stored in a particular storage device b) the range of numbers that can be processed in a register
- 10) noun, the bit rate that a communication channel or other system can carry
- 11) noun, legal competence
Etymology
C15: from Old French capacite, from Latin capācitās, from capāx spacious, from capere to take
Collins English Electronic Dictionary - Digital Edition: 2008 © HarperCollins Publishers 2008
Tweetymologies
How people on twitter are using the word capacity
No video for this word, yet.
We're a video dictionary, but we're new and there are many words in the English language.
We're uploading new video definitions of words daily but we need your help. Does this word have a special meaning to you? If so we'd love to see you define it through video.
Popular videos
Related words
Synonyms
strength, intelligence, ability, power, facility, gift, efficiency, genius, faculty, capability, forte, readiness, aptitude, apt, size, room, range, space, volume, extent, dimension, scope, magnitude, compass, amplitude, function, position, role, post, appointment, province, sphere, service, office