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Dimension vs Capacity - What's the difference?

dimension | capacity | Related terms |

As nouns the difference between dimension and capacity

is that dimension is a single aspect of a given thing while capacity is the ability to hold, receive or absorb.

As a verb dimension

is to mark, cut or shape something to specified dimensions.

As an adjective capacity is

filling the allotted space.

dimension

Noun

(en noun)
  • A single aspect of a given thing.
  • A measure of spatial extent in a particular direction, such as height, width or breadth, or depth.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2012-01
  • , author=Robert L. Dorit , title=Rereading Darwin , volume=100, issue=1, page=23 , magazine= citation , passage=We live our lives in three dimensions for our threescore and ten allotted years. Yet every branch of contemporary science, from statistics to cosmology, alludes to processes that operate on scales outside of human experience: the millisecond and the nanometer, the eon and the light-year.}}
  • A construct whereby objects or individuals can be distinguished.
  • (geometry) The number of independent coordinates needed to specify uniquely the location of a point in a space; also, any of such independent coordinates.
  • (linear algebra) The number of elements of any basis of a vector space.
  • (physics) One of the physical properties that are regarded as fundamental measures of a physical quantity, such as mass, length and time.
  • The dimension of velocity is length divided by time.
  • (computing) Any of the independent ranges of indices in a multidimensional array.
  • (science fiction, fantasy) An alternative universe or plane of existence.
  • Synonyms

    * (single aspect of a thing ): aspect * (measure of spatial extent ): magnitude, proportion, size, scope * (construct whereby objects or individuals can be distinguished ): attribute, property

    Derived terms

    * * * * correlation dimension * dimensional * dimensional analysis * dimensional shingle * exterior dimension * four-dimensional * fourth dimension * fractal dimension * Hamel dimension * Hausdorff dimension * information dimension * isoperimetric dimension * Kaplan-Yorke dimension * Krull dimension * Lebesgue covering dimension * Lyapunov dimension * multidimensional * one-dimensional * pointwise dimension * poset dimension * q-dimension * third dimension * three-dimensional * transdimensional

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To mark, cut or shape something to specified dimensions.
  • capacity

    English

    Noun

    (capacities)
  • The ability to hold, receive or absorb
  • A measure of such ability; volume
  • The maximum amount that can be held
  • It was hauling a capacity load.
    The orchestra played to a capacity crowd.
  • Capability; the ability to perform some task
  • The maximum that can be produced.
  • Mental ability; the power to learn
  • A faculty; the potential for growth and development
  • A role; the position in which one functions
  • Legal authority (to make an arrest for example)
  • Electrical capacitance.
  • (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.

    Synonyms

    * throughput * See also

    Derived terms

    * capacitance * capacitation * capacitor

    Adjective

  • Filling the allotted space.
  • There will be a capacity crowd at Busch stadium for the sixth game.
  • * 2012 , August 1. Owen Gibson in Guardian Unlimited, London 2012: rowers Glover and Stanning win Team GB's first gold medal
  • At an overcast Eton Dorney, roared on by a capacity crowd including Prince Harry and Prince William, the volume rose as they entered the final stages.