capability
[C/U] Both
pl: capabilities
This term emphasizes a latent potential or a technical specification rather than a learned skill. It describes a ceiling of possibility, often referring to what a system, organization, or person is equipped to achieve given the right conditions. While ability refers to the current proficiency of a person, capability often describes a structural or inherent capacity. In corporate or military contexts, it refers to a specific set of tools or resources that allow a group to perform a particular mission.
Countable when referring to a specific feature or function, such as a drone having stealth capabilities. Uncountable when referring to a general level of competence or power, such as questioning a leader's capability to govern.