# capacity

/kəˈpæsəti/ (US) · /kəpˈæsɪti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/capacity
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. volume or space

noun · CEFR B2

the total amount that a container or space can hold.

For teachers: the maximum amount or number that can be contained or accommodated.

- The stadium was filled to capacity for the final game of the season.
- The fuel tank has a capacity of fifty litres, which is sufficient for most long-distance journeys without frequent stops.

### 2. ability to do something

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

your ability to do a specific task or understand an idea.

For teachers: the power or ability to generate, receive, or exhibit a specific quality or perform a task.

- She has a great capacity for hard work and never seems to get tired.
- The human brain has an incredible capacity for processing complex visual information in a fraction of a second.

### 3. official role

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

a particular job or position that someone has.

For teachers: a specific role, function, or position in which a person acts.

- He attended the meeting in his capacity as the company's legal advisor.
- She was acting in a private capacity when she made those comments, so they do not reflect the official policy of the department.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'in'.

### 4. production limit

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Technical

the maximum amount that a factory or machine can produce.

For teachers: the maximum output that an industrial plant or economy can maintain.

- The factory is currently operating at full capacity to meet the high demand.
- Economists are concerned that the industry is reaching its productive capacity, which could lead to inflationary pressures if demand continues to rise.

### 5. legal competence

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

the legal right or mental ability to make your own decisions.

For teachers: the legal qualification or mental competence to perform a specific act or enter into a contract.

- The court had to decide if the elderly man had the mental capacity to sign the will.
- The defendant's legal capacity was questioned by the prosecution, leading to a lengthy psychiatric evaluation before the trial could proceed.

### 6. completely full

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

filling all the available space.

For teachers: occupying the total available space or reaching the maximum limit; non-gradable.

- The singer performed to a capacity crowd at the local theatre.
- The venue hosted a capacity audience, with every seat occupied and standing room only at the back of the hall.

## Examples

- The stadium is at full capacity for the final match.
- The factory is currently operating at full capacity to meet the sudden increase in customer demand.
- While the legal team questioned his mental capacity to sign the contract, his doctors maintained that he was fully aware of the implications of his decisions.

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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.