mastery

noun

mas·​tery ˈma-st(ə-)rē 

1

a

: the authority of a master : dominion

b

: the upper hand in a contest or competition : superiority, ascendancy

2

a

: possession or display of great skill or technique

b

: skill or knowledge that makes one master of a subject : command

Synonyms

• command
• IQ
• mastership
• proficiency

Examples of mastery in a Sentence

We were impressed by her mastery of the subject.

She achieved a complete mastery of French.

He struggled to gain mastery of his fears.

Recent Examples on the Web

Thursday’s event – an annual display of Putin’s mastery of the minutiae of domestic policy as well as of geopolitics – consists of a public Q&A session combined with a public phone-in. —Anna Chernova, CNN, 19 Dec. 2024

Willimon had proven his mastery of story not only on House of Cards but the Star Wars spinoff Andor. —Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 18 Dec. 2024

By Shirley Li During his fourth time hosting Saturday Night Live, Chris Rock brought a particularly magnetic and mischievous energy—one that showed his mastery of being a good-natured troll. —Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 15 Dec. 2024

Of course, there is a lot of mastery needed to make the most of those character abilities and kits, as Marvel Rivals has a low skill floor but a high skill ceiling. —Echo Apsey, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English maistrie, from Anglo-French mestrie, maistrie, from meistre master

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing mastery

• self-mastery

Kids Definition

mastery

noun

mas·​tery ˈmas-t(ə-)rē 

plural masteries

1

: the position or authority of a master

2

: victory

3

: skill or knowledge that makes one master of something : command

a mastery of French