1. The maximum population size that an environment can sustain indefinitely
   "The island's carrying capacity for deer was estimated at 500"
    
2. The maximum load, weight, or amount that a system, structure, vehicle, or organization can safely or effectively support, transport, or manage
   "The truck's carrying capacity was 10 tons"; "The firm reached its carrying capacity for new projects"

Derived forms: carrying capacities

Encyclopedia: Carrying capacity