adequacy
noun
ad·e·qua·cy
ˈa-di-kwə-sē 
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
Besides delaying processing, these errors jeopardize compliance if network adequacy rules aren't met.
—
Charles Wong, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Those benefits include higher protein intake; better adequacy of key brain-supporting nutrients such as zinc, selenium, vitamin B-12 and choline, which help regulate memory, mood, muscle control and other functions; and a more diverse gut microbiota.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Barrington’s adequacy level is 119%.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025
The California Public Utilities Commission, PG&E’s regulator, said the resource adequacy figure PG&E referenced is not part of the cost of running the plant, thus is not included in profit calculations.
—Calmatters, Oc Register, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adequacy
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Charles Wong, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Those benefits include higher protein intake; better adequacy of key brain-supporting nutrients such as zinc, selenium, vitamin B-12 and choline, which help regulate memory, mood, muscle control and other functions; and a more diverse gut microbiota.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Barrington’s adequacy level is 119%.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025
The California Public Utilities Commission, PG&E’s regulator, said the resource adequacy figure PG&E referenced is not part of the cost of running the plant, thus is not included in profit calculations.
—Calmatters, Oc Register, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adequacy
Cite this Entry
“Adequacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adequacy. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
adequacy
noun
ad·e·qua·cy
ˈad-i-kwə-sē
plural adequacies
: the quality or state of being adequate
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