competency
noun
com·pe·ten·cy
ˈkäm-pə-tən(t)-sē 
plural competencies
1
: competence: such as
a
: possession of sufficient knowledge or skill
Dr. Polidoro was cited for his outstanding contributions to the profession, his professional … competency … and dedication.—
Rhode Island
Rhode IslandAt length horrible doubts overtake him as to the captain's competency to navigate his ship.—Herman Melville
Herman Melville
b
: legal authority, ability, or admissibility
They evaluated the defendant's competency to stand trial.
2
: a specific area of competence
A "meister," or master, who works with the student at the jobsite will then be able to check off when an apprentice has achieved certain competencies.—Lynn Olson
Lynn OlsonI have always believed businesses that concentrate on a very few core competencies will do the best.—Bill Gates
Bill GatesWhen coming up with a list of different industries, positions, and professions to which your skills could transfer, the key is to think in terms of your core competencies.—John A. Challenger
John A. ChallengerSynonyms
Examples of competency in a Sentence
Critics have questioned the director's competency.
she's proved that she has the competency to run a major company
Recent Examples on the Web
Senate Democrats today plan to approach what will be weeks of Cabinet confirmation hearings with tough questions for Trump’s pending nominees, hoping to use the confirmation process to inflame doubts about some candidates’ veracity, competency, qualifications and agendas.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 14 Jan. 2025
While SpaceX's competency with reusing Falcon 9 boosters gets a lot of attention—landing a rocket is still incredible, even after seeing it nearly 400 times—its manufacturing prowess with Falcon 9 upper stages suggests that building 100 Starships each year just might be doable someday.
—Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 14 Jan. 2025
In short, its core competency needs to be responding to predictable natural disasters rather than virtue-signaling about climate change that its expensive (but piddling in the global scheme of things) green-energy initiatives are powerless to affect one way or the other.
—The Editors, National Review, 13 Jan. 2025
As the fires continue to burn, officials serving California and Los Angeles have faced criticism online for allegedly prioritizing diversity initiatives and other left-of-center agenda items over competency.
—Robert Schmad, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 8 Jan. 2025
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Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 14 Jan. 2025
While SpaceX's competency with reusing Falcon 9 boosters gets a lot of attention—landing a rocket is still incredible, even after seeing it nearly 400 times—its manufacturing prowess with Falcon 9 upper stages suggests that building 100 Starships each year just might be doable someday.
—Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 14 Jan. 2025
In short, its core competency needs to be responding to predictable natural disasters rather than virtue-signaling about climate change that its expensive (but piddling in the global scheme of things) green-energy initiatives are powerless to affect one way or the other.
—The Editors, National Review, 13 Jan. 2025
As the fires continue to burn, officials serving California and Los Angeles have faced criticism online for allegedly prioritizing diversity initiatives and other left-of-center agenda items over competency.
—Robert Schmad, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for competency
Dictionary Entries Near competency
Cite this Entry
“Competency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/competency. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
competency
noun
com·pe·ten·cy
ˈkäm-pət-ən-sē
Medical Definition
Legal Definition
competency
noun
com·pe·ten·cy
ˈkäm-pə-tən-sē
1
: the quality or state of being mentally competent compare capacity, incompetence, insanity
2
: the quality or state of being legally qualified or adequate
the competency, quantum and legal effect of evidence—State v. Scoggin, 72 S.E.2d 54 (1952)
State v. Scoggin, 72 S.E.2d 54 (1952)Love words? Need even more definitions?
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