capacity
kuh-PASS-ih-tee
/kəˈpæs.ə.ti/
The maximum amount that something can contain or produce.
Can refer to physical volume (a tank) or a person's ability to do work (mental capacity).
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'capax', meaning 'able to hold much'. It entered English via Old French 'capacité' in the 15th century.
Word relationships
- volume: Volume is the physical space; capacity is the potential to hold or produce within that space.
- limitation: Limitation is a restriction; capacity is the potential limit of what can be done.
Commonly confused with
- capability: Capacity is 'how much' you can do; capability is 'what' you are able to do.
Word family
- capacious (adjective): having a lot of space inside; roomy.
Collocations
- full capacity
- maximum capacity
- storage capacity
- productive capacity
Idioms & expressions
- bursting at the seams
Example sentences
- "The stadium was filled to capacity for the championship game." Event Planning
- "I don't have the mental capacity to take on another project this week." Human Resources
Memory hook
Think of a 'Cap'—a cap can only hold so much water before it overflows. The limit of what fits.
When not to use
Don't use it to mean 'skill' in a specific task; use 'competence' or 'ability' instead.
Fun facts
- In legal terms, 'capacity' refers to a person's legal ability to enter into a contract or stand trial.
Explore more words
capability, throughput, Energy, output, Potential, efficiency
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