Definition Definition

Capacity - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'Capacity' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Capacity [ n.]
- The power of receiving or containing; extent of room or space; passive power; -- used in reference to physical things.
- The power of receiving and holding ideas, knowledge, etc.; the comprehensiveness of the mind; the receptive faculty; capability of undestanding or feeling.
- Ability; power pertaining to, or resulting from, the possession of strength, wealth, or talent; possibility of being or of doing.
- Outward condition or circumstances; occupation; profession; character; position; as, to work in the capacity of a mason or a carpenter.
- Legal or noral qualification, as of age, residence, character, etc., necessary for certain purposes, as for holding office, for marrying, for making contracts, will, etc.; legal power or right; competency.

Meaning of 'Capacity' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . capacity [ n]
Meaning (1):
- capability to perform or produce
Example in sentence:
  • a great capacity for growth;
  • among his gifts is his capacity for true altruism;
  • limited runway capacity
Meaning (2):
- tolerance for alcohol
Example in sentence:
  • he had drunk beyond his capacity
Meaning (3):
- a specified function
Example in sentence:
  • he should be retained in his present capacity at a higher salary;
  • he was employed in the capacity of director
Meaning (4):
- the susceptibility of something to a particular treatment
Example in sentence:
  • the capability of a metal to be fused
Meaning (5):
- (computer science) the amount of information (in bytes) that can be stored on a disk drive
Example in sentence:
  • the capacity of a hard disk drive is usually expressed in megabytes
Meaning (6):
- the amount that can be contained
Example in sentence:
  • the gas tank has a capacity of 12 gallons
Meaning (7):
- the maximum production possible
Example in sentence:
  • the plant is working at 80 per cent capacity