# capability

/ˌkeɪpəˈbɪɫəti/ (US) · /kˌeɪpəbˈɪlɪti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/capability
Updated: 2026-07-22

## Senses

### 1. ability to do something

noun · CEFR B2

the power or ability to do something or reach a goal.

For teachers: the quality or state of being capable; the power or ability to generate a specific outcome.

- The new software has the capability to translate text into fifty different languages.
- The company's long-term success depends on its capability to innovate faster than its global competitors in the renewable energy sector.

### 2. military/technical power

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the specific things a country's military or a large machine can do.

For teachers: the total facilities, resources, or forces available for a specific purpose, often used in military or industrial contexts.

- The country is trying to improve its defensive capabilities against cyber attacks.
- The treaty was designed to limit the nuclear capabilities of both nations to prevent further escalation of the conflict.

### 3. computing security

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a digital key that lets a user or program access a specific file or part of a computer.

For teachers: a digital token or key that allows a user or process to interact with a specific object under access control.

- The system administrator granted the user a capability to edit the database.
- In a capability-based security model, a process can only perform an action if it possesses a token specifically granting that right.

Usage: Often used in the context of object-based security models.

## Examples

- The new software has the capability to edit high-definition video.
- Upgrading the server hardware significantly increased our data processing capability during peak hours.
- While the legacy system remains stable, it lacks the multi-threaded capability required to handle the modern application's concurrent user requests.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.