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Glite Dictionary
operating capability

operating capability

1 5.3
The ability of a machine or system to work as it should
  • noun
  • Specialized
: capacidad operativa
  • The engineers confirmed that the system has achieved its full operating capability after several months of testing.

Examples

  • The company's new aircraft has a greater operating capability than previous models.

  • The upgrade improved the operating capability of the production line significantly.

  • Regular maintenance is essential to preserve the operating capability of complex machinery.

  • The operating capability is impressive.

  • Can this machine enhance its operating capabilities?

  • The new software was designed to enhance the operating capability of the existing hardware.

  • The military plans to evaluate the operating capability of the new drones during the upcoming exercises.

Synonyms

functionality
vsoperating capability
  • Specialized
77 4.6

The things a device or program can do

focuses instead on the system actually working as designed, not its feature list
operability
vsoperating capability
  • Specialized
1 6.6

How well a system or device works as it should

is more about the designed functioning of technological systems than about usability
performance capability
vsoperating capability
  • Specialized
1 4.2

How well a machine or device works

is the broader idea of working as designed without stressing specifications
capability
vsoperating capability
  • Specialized
1 4.0

How well a material can stand up to a treatment or condition

means actual working performance of a technological system rather than susceptibility
performability
vsoperating capability
  • Specialized
8.2

How well a system or part works under certain conditions

focuses more generally on working as designed rather than on specific conditions

Antonyms

inability
161 2.8

Not able to do something you need to do

malfunction
98 4.5

A problem when a machine or system does not work correctly

How Functional

operating capability
  • Specialized
1 5.3

Surface Forms

operating capability singular
operating capabilities plural

Morphology

operating + capability

The noun phrase is compositionally transparent: 'operating' (actively functioning) modifies 'capability' (ability), so the phrase straightforwardly means the ability to function. Although somewhat technical, the adjective+noun composition follows ordinary English patterns and is likely inferable by a B1 learner who knows both constituents.

Etymology

Operating capability comes from two simple words: operating (to 'work' or 'run') and capability (the 'ability' to do something). Imagine a machine that can now run many tasks; its operating capability is how well it can 'work', so the phrase means the system's ability to do its job.