Function vs. Capacity: What's the Difference?
Function and Capacity Definitions
Function
A person's role or occupation
In my function as chief editor.
Capacity
The ability to receive, hold, or absorb something
The storage capacity of a car's trunk.
Function
(Biology) The physiological activity of an organ or body part
The heart's function is to pump blood.
Capacity
The maximum amount that can be contained
A bin filled to capacity.
Function
(Computers) A procedure within an application.
ADVERTISEMENT
Capacity
The power to learn or retain knowledge; mental ability.
Function
An official ceremony or a formal social occasion
Disliked attending receptions and other company functions.
Capacity
The ability to do, make, or accomplish something; capability
A comedian's capacity for making people laugh.
Function
Something closely related to another thing and dependent on it for its existence, value, or significance
Growth is a function of nutrition.
Capacity
The maximum or optimum amount that can be produced
Factories operating below capacity.
ADVERTISEMENT
Function
A variable so related to another that for each value assumed by one there is a value determined for the other.
Capacity
The quality of being suitable for or receptive to specified treatment
The capacity of elastic to be stretched.
Function
A rule of correspondence between two sets such that there is exactly one element in the second set assigned to each element in the first set. Also called mapping.
Capacity
The position in which one functions; role
In your capacity as sales manager.
Function
To have or perform a function; serve
Functioned as ambassador.
Capacity
Legal qualification or authority
The capacity to make an arrest.
Function
To deal with or overcome the challenges of everyday life
For weeks after his friend's funeral he simply could not function.
Capacity
(Electricity) Capacitance.
Function
What something does or is used for.
Capacity
Filling a space with the most it can hold
A capacity crowd at the concert.
Function
A professional or official position.
Capacity
The ability to hold, receive, or absorb
Function
An official or social occasion.
Capacity
A measure of such ability; volume
Function
Something which is dependent on or stems from another thing; a result or concomitant.
Capacity
The maximum amount that can be held
It was hauling a capacity load.
The orchestra played to a capacity crowd.
A factory operating at less than full capacity.
Function
A relation where one thing is dependent on another for its existence, value, or significance.
Capacity
Capability; the ability to perform some task
Function
(mathematics) A relation in which each element of the domain is associated with exactly one element of the codomain. Category:en:Functions
Capacity
The maximum that can be produced.
Function
(computing) A routine that receives zero or more arguments and may return a result.
Capacity
Mental ability; the power to learn
Function
(biology) The physiological activity of an organ or body part.
Capacity
A faculty; the potential for growth and development
Function
(chemistry) The characteristic behavior of a chemical compound.
Capacity
A role; the position in which one functions
Function
(anthropology) The role of a social practice in the continued existence of the group.
Capacity
Legal authority (to make an arrest for example)
Function
(intransitive) To have a function.
Capacity
Electrical capacitance.
Function
(intransitive) To carry out a function; to be in action.
Capacity
(operations) The maximum that can be produced on a machine or in a facility or group.
Its capacity rating was 150 tons per hour, but its actual maximum capacity was 200 tons per hour.
Function
The act of executing or performing any duty, office, or calling; performance.
Capacity
Filling the allotted space.
There will be a capacity crowd at Busch stadium for the sixth game.
Function
The appropriate action of any special organ or part of an animal or vegetable organism; as, the function of the heart or the limbs; the function of leaves, sap, roots, etc.; life is the sum of the functions of the various organs and parts of the body.
Capacity
The power of receiving or containing; extent of room or space; passive power; - used in reference to physical things.
Had our great palace the capacityTo camp this host, we all would sup together.
The capacity of the exhausted cylinder.
Function
The natural or assigned action of any power or faculty, as of the soul, or of the intellect; the exertion of an energy of some determinate kind.
As the mind opens, and its functions spread.
Capacity
The power of receiving and holding ideas, knowledge, etc.; the comprehensiveness of the mind; the receptive faculty; capability of understanding or feeling.
Capacity is now properly limited to these [the mere passive operations of the mind]; its primary signification, which is literally room for, as well as its employment, favors this; although it can not be denied that there are examples of its usage in an active sense.
Function
The course of action which peculiarly pertains to any public officer in church or state; the activity appropriate to any business or profession.
Tradesmen . . . going about their functions.
The malady which made him incapable of performing hisregal functions.
Capacity
Ability; power pertaining to, or resulting from, the possession of strength, wealth, or talent; possibility of being or of doing.
The capacity of blessing the people.
A cause with such capacities endued.
Function
A quantity so connected with another quantity, that if any alteration be made in the latter there will be a consequent alteration in the former. Each quantity is said to be a function of the other. Thus, the circumference of a circle is a function of the diameter. If x be a symbol to which different numerical values can be assigned, such expressions as x2, 3x, Log. x, and Sin. x, are all functions of x.
Capacity
Outward condition or circumstances; occupation; profession; character; position; as, to work in the capacity of a mason or a carpenter.
Function
A religious ceremony, esp. one particularly impressive and elaborate.
Every solemn function' performed with the requirements of the liturgy.
Capacity
Legal or moral qualification, as of age, residence, character, etc., necessary for certain purposes, as for holding office, for marrying, for making contracts, wills, etc.; legal power or right; competency.
Function
A public or social ceremony or gathering; a festivity or entertainment, esp. one somewhat formal.
This function, which is our chief social event.
Capacity
Ability to perform or produce
Function
To execute or perform a function; to transact one's regular or appointed business.
Capacity
The susceptibility of something to a particular treatment;
The capability of a metal to be fused
Function
A mathematical relation such that each element of one set is associated with at least one element of another set
Capacity
The amount that can be contained;
The gas tank has a capacity of 12 gallons
Function
What something is used for;
The function of an auger is to bore holes
Ballet is beautiful but what use is it?
Capacity
The maximum production possible;
The plant is working at 80 per cent capacity
Function
The actions and activities assigned to or required or expected of a person or group;
The function of a teacher
The government must do its part
Play its role
Capacity
A specified function;
He was employed in the capacity of director
He should be retained in his present capacity at a higher salary
Function
A relation such that one thing is dependent on another;
Height is a function of age
Price is a function of supply and demand
Capacity
(computer science) the amount of information (in bytes) that can be stored on a disk drive;
The capacity of a hard disk drive is usually expressed in megabytes
Function
A formal or official social gathering or ceremony;
It was a black-tie function
Capacity
An electrical phenomenon whereby an electric charge is stored
Function
A vaguely specified social event;
The party was quite an affair
An occasion arranged to honor the president
A seemingly endless round of social functions
Capacity
The power to learn or retain knowledge; in law, the ability to understand the facts and significance of your behavior
Function
A set sequence of steps, part of larger computer program
Capacity
Tolerance for alcohol;
He had drunk beyond his capacity
Function
Perform as expected when applied;
The washing machine won't go unless it's plugged in
Does this old car still run well?
This old radio doesn't work anymore
Function
Serve a purpose, role, or function;
The tree stump serves as a table
The female students served as a control group
This table would serve very well
His freedom served him well
The table functions as a desk
Function
Perform duties attached to a particular office or place or function;
His wife officiated as his private secretary
