capacity
kuh-PAS-ih-tee
/kəˈpæsɪti/
The maximum amount that something can contain.
In sports, it specifically refers to the total number of spectators a venue is legally allowed to hold.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'capax', meaning 'able to hold much'. It shares a root with 'capture' and 'captivate'.
Word relationships
- volume: Refers to physical space; capacity refers to the limit of what can fit.
Commonly confused with
- capability: Capacity is 'how much'; capability is 'how well'.
Word family
- capacious (adjective): Having a lot of space inside; roomy.
Collocations
- seating capacity
- full capacity
- maximum capacity
- stadium capacity
Idioms & expressions
- filled to capacity
Example sentences
- "The stadium reached its full capacity of 50,000 within minutes of tickets going on sale." Ticket sales.
- "The fire marshal warned that the gymnasium was over capacity and ordered some people to leave." Safety warning.
Memory hook
Capacity is the 'cap' (limit) of what a place can 'city' (fit). Capacity = The limit.
When not to use
Don't confuse with 'capability' (the ability to do something).
Fun facts
- The largest stadium in the world by capacity is the Rungrado 1st of May Stadium in North Korea, holding 114,000 people.
Explore more words
capability, throughput, Energy, output, Potential, efficiency
Also appears in
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