Bearing capacity refers to the ability of soil to support the loads applied to the ground without experiencing failure or excessive settlement. It is a crucial factor in construction and civil engineering, as it determines how much weight a structure, such as a building or bridge, can safely rest on the soil beneath it. There are different types of bearing capacity, including ultimate bearing capacity, which is the maximum load the soil can withstand before failure, and allowable bearing capacity, which is the load that can be safely applied to the soil considering safety factors. Proper assessment of bearing capacity ensures the stability and safety of structures.