'Capacity' definitions:

Definition of 'capacity'

From: WordNet
noun
Capability to perform or produce; "among his gifts is his capacity for true altruism"; "limited runway capacity"; "a great capacity for growth" [ant: incapacity]
noun
The susceptibility of something to a particular treatment; "the capability of a metal to be fused" [syn: capability, capacity]
noun
The amount that can be contained; "the gas tank has a capacity of 12 gallons" [syn: capacity, content]
noun
The maximum production possible; "the plant is working at 80 per cent capacity"
noun
A specified function; "he was employed in the capacity of director"; "he should be retained in his present capacity at a higher salary"
noun
(computer science) the amount of information (in bytes) that can be stored on a disk drive; "the capacity of a hard disk drive is usually expressed in megabytes"
noun
An electrical phenomenon whereby an electric charge is stored [syn: capacitance, electrical capacity, capacity]
noun
The power to learn or retain knowledge; in law, the ability to understand the facts and significance of your behavior [syn: capacity, mental ability] [ant: incapacity]
noun
Tolerance for alcohol; "he had drunk beyond his capacity"

Definition of 'Capacity'

From: GCIDE
  • Capacity \Ca*pac"i*ty\ (k[.a]*p[a^]s"[i^]*t[y^]), n.; pl. Capacities (-t[i^]z). [L. capacitus, fr. capax, capacis; fr. F. capacit['e]. See Capacious.]
  • 1. The power of receiving or containing; extent of room or space; passive power; -- used in reference to physical things. [1913 Webster]
  • Had our great palace the capacity To camp this host, we all would sup together. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • The capacity of the exhausted cylinder. --Boyle. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. The power of receiving and holding ideas, knowledge, etc.; the comprehensiveness of the mind; the receptive faculty; capability of understanding or feeling. [1913 Webster]
  • Capacity is now properly limited to these [the mere passive operations of the mind]; its primary signification, which is literally room for, as well as its employment, favors this; although it can not be denied that there are examples of its usage in an active sense. --Sir W. Hamilton. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Ability; power pertaining to, or resulting from, the possession of strength, wealth, or talent; possibility of being or of doing. [1913 Webster]
  • The capacity of blessing the people. --Alex. Hamilton. [1913 Webster]
  • A cause with such capacities endued. --Blackmore. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. Outward condition or circumstances; occupation; profession; character; position; as, to work in the capacity of a mason or a carpenter. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. (Law) Legal or moral qualification, as of age, residence, character, etc., necessary for certain purposes, as for holding office, for marrying, for making contracts, wills, etc.; legal power or right; competency. [1913 Webster]
  • Capacity for heat, the power of absorbing heat. Substances differ in the amount of heat requisite to raise them a given number of thermometric degrees, and this difference is the measure of, or depends upon, what is called their capacity for heat. See Specific heat, under Heat.
  • Syn: Ability; faculty; talent; capability; skill; efficiency; cleverness. See Ability. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'capacity'

From: Moby Thesaurus