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 of mastery

• 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

Gunner Stockton and Georgia finally put an end to Alabama's mastery of the rivalry between Southeastern Conference powers. —CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025

As del Toro enters the Oscars’ race with one of his best projects to date, the return of the feature that founded his filmography serves as a kind of toast to the mastery of art, life, and indescribable spaces between. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 Dec. 2025

This coming year calls for clarity, precision, and mastery over your mind. —Tatianna Tarot, Refinery29, 2 Dec. 2025

Preserving that immediacy in a recording requires both technical mastery and a commitment to human connection, an approach that lies at the heart of the Technics philosophy. —Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 1 Dec. 2025

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