abil·i·ty
ə-ˈbi-lə-tē 
plural abilities
1
a
: the quality or state of being able
the ability of the soil to hold water
especially
: physical, mental, or legal power to do something
a writer's ability to engage the reader's interest
did the work to the best of her ability [=as well as she could]
b
: competence in doing something : skill
artistic abilities
c
: a person's status with regard to having a disability
—used especially in legal and official statements
These guidelines not only help make web content accessible to users with sensory, cognitive and mobility disabilities, but ultimately to all users, regardless of ability.—
whitehouse.gov
whitehouse.gov2
: natural aptitude or acquired proficiency
students with different abilities
variants
or less commonly -ibility
: capacity, fitness, or tendency to act or be acted on in a (specified) way
flammability
Examples of ability in a Sentence
Noun
a young woman with many remarkable musical abilities
a young woman of great musical ability
She has shown some ability with foreign languages.
Recent Examples on the Web
Alan Gionet, CBS News, 1 Jan. 2026
Unfortunately, a full moon rises the night before, so the moon’s light may interfere with your ability to see these shooting stars.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2026
Yet Trump’s ability to reshape the narrative on the economy could be limited to the next 12 months.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 1 Jan. 2026
The uncrewed mission will test Dream Chaser's ability to launch atop a conventional rocket, operate autonomously in orbit and return to Earth with a runway landing similar to a conventional aircraft.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ability
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Through fundraisers, community events, and donations, the program provides recreation for everyone in the community, regardless of ability.
—Alan Gionet, CBS News, 1 Jan. 2026
Unfortunately, a full moon rises the night before, so the moon’s light may interfere with your ability to see these shooting stars.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2026
Yet Trump’s ability to reshape the narrative on the economy could be limited to the next 12 months.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 1 Jan. 2026
The uncrewed mission will test Dream Chaser's ability to launch atop a conventional rocket, operate autonomously in orbit and return to Earth with a runway landing similar to a conventional aircraft.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ability
Cite this Entry
“Ability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ability. Accessed 2 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ability
1 of 2 noun
abil·i·ty
ə-ˈbil-ət-ē
plural abilities
1
a
: the quality or state of being able : power to do something
b
: competence in doing : skill
2
: natural or learned skill
-ability
2 of 2 noun suffix
-abil·i·ty
variants
also -ibility
ə-ˈbil-ət-ē
plural -ties
: ability, fitness, or likeliness to act or be acted on in (such) a way
readability
Etymology
Noun suffix
derived from Latin -abilitas, -ibilitas "-ability"
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share