Definitions for abilityəˈbɪl ɪ ti

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

a•bil•i•ty^*əˈbɪl ɪ ti(n.)(pl.)-ties.

power or capacity to do or act physically, mentally, legally, morally, or financially.
competence based on natural skill, training, or other qualification.
abilities, talents; special skills or aptitudes.

^* Syn: ability , faculty , talent denote power or capacity to do something. ability is the general word for a natural or acquired capacity to do things; it usu. implies doing them well: a leader of great ability; ability in mathematics. faculty denotes a natural or acquired ability for a particular kind of action: a faculty for putting people at ease.talent usu. denotes an exceptional natural ability or aptitude in a particular field: a talent for music.

Origin of ability:

1350–1400; ME (h)abilite < MF < L habilitās aptitude =habili(s) handy (see able ) +-tās -ty2

-ability

a combination of -able and -ity , found on nouns corresponding to adjectives in -able :
capability.
Category: Affix

Origin of -ability:

ME -abilite蠐 L -ābilitās

Princeton's WordNet

ability(noun)
the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment
ability, power(noun)
possession of the qualities (especially mental qualities) required to do something or get something done
"danger heightened his powers of discrimination"

Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

ability(noun)əˈbɪl ɪ ti
≠inability
a natural ability; to have the ability to do sth

Wiktionary

ability(Noun)
The quality or state of being able.
ability(Noun)
A skill or competence in doing.
ability(Noun)
A high level of skill or competence.
ability(Noun)
Physical, mental or legal power to perform.
ability(Noun)
Aptitude.

Origin: * First attested from before 1398.

Webster Dictionary

Ability(noun)
the quality or state of being able; power to perform, whether physical, moral, intellectual, conventional, or legal; capacity; skill or competence in doing; sufficiency of strength, skill, resources, etc.; -- in the plural, faculty, talent