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

At length horrible doubts overtake him as to the captain's competency to navigate his ship.

—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

I have always believed businesses that concentrate on a very few core competencies will do the best.

—Bill Gates

When 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

Synonyms

• ability
• capability
• capableness
• capacity
• competence
• faculty

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

He was found incompetent to stand trial in the domestic violence case in November 2020 and was ordered to receive mental health treatment as part of a competency restoration program he was required to participate in, according to court records. —Nicole Lopez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 May 2024

Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley is promoting term limits and mental competency evaluations for politicians over 75, as if 75 is a magic number that chronologically reflects every person’s mental and emotional competence, or incompetence. —Fiona De Merell, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2024

Scott will next appear in court at 9 a.m. July 23 for an evidentiary hearing surrounding his mental competency. —Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 6 June 2024

Three other people suffered gunshot wounds in the bizarre attack that called into question the mental competency of the then-21-year-old, who had been a previous ward of Sacramento juvenile court. —Daniel Hunt, Sacramento Bee, 1 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

see competent

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

competency

noun

com·​pe·​ten·​cy ˈkäm-pət-ən-sē 

: competence

Medical Definition

competency

noun

com·​pe·​ten·​cy -ən-sē 

plural competencies

: competence

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)