Definition of capacity noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

capacity

noun

kəˈpæsəti

kəˈpæsəti

plural capacities

of container

1 [uncountable, countable, usually singular] the number of things or people that a container or space can holdThe theatre has a seating capacity of 2000.a fuel tank with a capacity of 50 litresThe hall was filled to capacity (= was completely full).They played to a capacity crowd (= one that filled all the space or seats).a hard disk storage capacity of 500 gigabytes

ability

2 [countable, usually singular, uncountable] the ability to understand or to do somethingintellectual capacitycapacity for something She has an enormous capacity for hard work.capacity for doing something Limited resources are restricting our capacity for developing new products.capacity to do something your capacity to enjoy life

role

3 [countable, usually singular] the official position or function that somebody has

Synonym

roleacting in her capacity as managerWe are simply involved in an advisory capacity on the project.

of factory/machine

4 [singular, uncountable] the quantity that a factory, machine, etc. can produceThe factory is working at full capacity.

of engine

5 [countable, uncountable] the size or power of a piece of equipment, especially the engine of a vehiclean engine with a capacity of 1600 cc