ca·pac·i·ty / kəˈpasitē/ • n. (pl. -ties) 1. [in sing.] the maximum amount that something can contain: the capacity of the freezer is 1.1 cubic feet. ∎  [as adj.] fully occupying the available area or space: they played to a capacity crowd. ∎  the amount that something can produce: doubling its electricity-generating capacity. ∎  the total cylinder volume that is swept by the pistons in an internal combustion engine. ∎ former term for capacitance.2. the ability or power to do, experience, or understand something: I was impressed by her capacity for hard work. ∎  [in sing.] a person's legal competence: cases where a patient's testamentary capacity is in doubt.3. [in sing.] a specified role or position: I was engaged in a voluntary capacity.DERIVATIVES: ca·pac·i·tive / -ətiv/ (also ca·pac·i·ta·tive) adj. ( chiefly Physics ).

CAPACITY

The ability, capability, or fitness to do something; a legal right, power, or competency to perform some act. An ability to comprehend both the nature and consequences of one's acts.

Capacity relates to soundness of mind and to an intelligent understanding and perception of one's actions. It is the power either to create or to enter into a legal relation under the same conditions or circumstances as a person of sound mind or normal intelligence would have the power to create or to enter.

A person of normal intelligence and sound mind has the capacity to dispose of his or her property by will as he or she sees fit.

A capacity defense is used in both criminal and civil actions to describe a lack of fundamental ability to be accountable for one's action that nullifies the element of intent when intent is essential to the action, thereby relieving a person of responsibility for it.

An individual under duress lacks the capacity to contract; a child under the age of seven accused of committing a crime lacks criminal capacity.

capacity (of stream) The maximum load of solid particles that a stream is capable of carrying. It is largely a function of the discharge, but influenced by particle size, in that a decrease in the size of particles involves an increase in the total load that can be transported. Ultimately a heavily loaded stream merges imperceptibly with a mud flow.

capacity
1. The amount of information that can be held in a storage device. The amount may be measured in words, bytes, bits, or characters.

2. The maximum range of values that can be held in a register.

3. of a transmission channel. See channel coding theorem.

capacity (of stream) Maximum load of solid particles that a stream is capable of carrying. It is largely a function of particle size, in that a decrease in the size of particles involves an increase in the total load that can be transported. Ultimately a heavily loaded stream merges imperceptibly with a mud flow.