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 following competency areas are the building blocks for embedding inclusion across the talent life cycle.
—Rocki Howard, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
The court is scheduling a competency hearing, Bieber told USA TODAY.
—Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 25 Dec. 2024
The competency hearing is scheduled to be held over two days on June 16 and June 17 at the Alfonse D’Amato Courthouse in Central Islip, N.Y.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 23 Dec. 2024
Over the past five years, the number of people in Wisconsin who need to be evaluated for competency has increased by 50%, and the number of people who need treatment so they can be restored to competency has nearly doubled, according to state health department data.
—Eva Wen, Journal Sentinel, 23 Dec. 2024
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Rocki Howard, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
The court is scheduling a competency hearing, Bieber told USA TODAY.
—Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 25 Dec. 2024
The competency hearing is scheduled to be held over two days on June 16 and June 17 at the Alfonse D’Amato Courthouse in Central Islip, N.Y.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 23 Dec. 2024
Over the past five years, the number of people in Wisconsin who need to be evaluated for competency has increased by 50%, and the number of people who need treatment so they can be restored to competency has nearly doubled, according to state health department data.
—Eva Wen, Journal Sentinel, 23 Dec. 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 7 Jan. 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?
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