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
The technical skills that were cutting-edge six months ago are now baseline requirements, while entirely new competencies emerge almost weekly.
—Bernard Marr, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024
That came after a hearing on Yang's mental competency, with the judge ruling Yang is competent to stand trial, according to online court records.
—Tom Daykin, Journal Sentinel, 25 Nov. 2024
In the wake of COVID-19, the surrounding aesthetics of outdoor recreation are reframed as a luxury where access is mediated by what can be purchased—gear, travel, time—or signaled, through a kind of cultural literacy tied to competency and affluence.
—Essence, 25 Nov. 2024
The key is to evaluate innovations through the lens of your core competencies and values.
—Dan Gamble, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
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.
Bernard Marr, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024
That came after a hearing on Yang's mental competency, with the judge ruling Yang is competent to stand trial, according to online court records.
—Tom Daykin, Journal Sentinel, 25 Nov. 2024
In the wake of COVID-19, the surrounding aesthetics of outdoor recreation are reframed as a luxury where access is mediated by what can be purchased—gear, travel, time—or signaled, through a kind of cultural literacy tied to competency and affluence.
—Essence, 25 Nov. 2024
The key is to evaluate innovations through the lens of your core competencies and values.
—Dan Gamble, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
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 15 Dec. 2024.
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