Definition of “capacity”

noun

1. the ability or power to contain, absorb, or hold
2. the amount that can be contained; volume  ⇒ a capacity of six gallons 
3. 1. the maximum amount something can contain or absorb (esp in the phrase filled to capacity)
   2. ((as modifier)  ⇒ a capacity crowd 
4. the ability to understand or learn; aptitude; capability  ⇒ he has a great capacity for Greek 
5. the ability to do or produce (often in the phrase at capacity)  ⇒ the factory's output was not at capacity 
6. a specified position or function  ⇒ he was employed in the capacity of manager 
7. a measure of the electrical output of a piece of apparatus such as a motor, generator, or accumulator
8. electronics a former name for capacitance
9. computing 
   1. the number of words or characters that can be stored in a particular storage device
   2. the range of numbers that can be processed in a register
10. the bit rate that a communication channel or other system can carry
11. legal competence  ⇒ the capacity to make a will