adequacy

noun

ad·​e·​qua·​cy ˈa-di-kwə-sē How to pronounce adequacy (audio)
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
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.
In Michigan, the public service commission is fighting to restore resource adequacy after partial deregulation resulted in reliability issues and cost shifts to regulated customers when the unregulated energy providers failed to procure regional capacity. Ed Hirs, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025 The filing also highlights the company's strategic initiatives, including optimizing its portfolio and improving underwriting results through selective underwriting and rate adequacy. Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for adequacy

Word History

Etymology

adequ(ate) + -acy

First Known Use

1701, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of adequacy was in 1701

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Adequacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adequacy. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

adequacy

noun
ad·​e·​qua·​cy ˈad-i-kwə-sē How to pronounce adequacy (audio)
plural adequacies
: the quality or state of being adequate

More from Merriam-Webster on adequacy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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