adequacy
noun
ad·e·qua·cy
ˈa-di-kwə-sē 
plural adequacies
: the quality or state of being adequate
Did you know?
When we question the adequacy of health-care coverage, or parking facilities, or school funding, we're asking if they are equal to our need. The adjective adequate means "enough" or "acceptable"—though in sentences like "His performance was adequate", it really means "no better than acceptable".
Examples of adequacy in a Sentence
the fire department sent someone to determine the adequacy of the building's evacuation plan
Recent Examples on the Web
The filing also details various regulatory matters, including capital adequacy requirements.
—
Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2025
Once client information has been digitized, there are so many ways to use it across the bank, such as reporting on capital adequacy ratios, tax compliance use cases, ESG and credit underwriting.
—Alex Ford, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
The adequacy of the system’s staffing is a perennial issue, and, intermittently, so is the government’s role.
—Matthew L. Wald, The New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2025
Over time, the adequacy of these labels has further eroded as Asian Americans and Latino/as have become even more heterogeneous.
—Jane Hong / Made By History, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adequacy
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Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2025
Once client information has been digitized, there are so many ways to use it across the bank, such as reporting on capital adequacy ratios, tax compliance use cases, ESG and credit underwriting.
—Alex Ford, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
The adequacy of the system’s staffing is a perennial issue, and, intermittently, so is the government’s role.
—Matthew L. Wald, The New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2025
Over time, the adequacy of these labels has further eroded as Asian Americans and Latino/as have become even more heterogeneous.
—Jane Hong / Made By History, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adequacy
Cite this Entry
“Adequacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adequacy. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
adequacy
noun
ad·e·qua·cy
ˈad-i-kwə-sē
plural adequacies
: the quality or state of being adequate
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