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
O'Kelley mentioned intellectual curiosity, a willingness to adapt and a willingness to take on the unexpected as new criteria to consider beyond competency and accomplishments for CEOs or other senior leaders.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025
While vision and courage are, respectively, above and below purpose, competency, integrity, intimacy, and passion surround it.
—Ethan Stone, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025
The birth of compositionality In 2016, Brenden Lake, a professor of psychology and data science, published a paper in which his team named a set of competencies machines need to master to truly learn and think like humans.
—Ars Technica, 1 Feb. 2025
Develop Leaders Who Can Navigate Change Effectively Change readiness is, ultimately, a core competency for leadership.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 6 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for competency 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025
While vision and courage are, respectively, above and below purpose, competency, integrity, intimacy, and passion surround it.
—Ethan Stone, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025
The birth of compositionality In 2016, Brenden Lake, a professor of psychology and data science, published a paper in which his team named a set of competencies machines need to master to truly learn and think like humans.
—Ars Technica, 1 Feb. 2025
Develop Leaders Who Can Navigate Change Effectively Change readiness is, ultimately, a core competency for leadership.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 6 Feb. 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 23 Feb. 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?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share