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
Quantum exposure cuts across data, supplier contracts, capital allocation, customer commitments, regulatory adequacy and board appetite.
—
Maman Ibrahim, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
More than half of the regions NERC studied could face resource-adequacy problems in that window, a worsening outlook that the group partly attributes to data centers.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 June 2026
According to the statement, Xcel has identified resource adequacy as a growing concern for several years and has proposed multiple solutions, including a near-term procurement plan designed to add 3,800 megawatts of new generation capacity.
—Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 2 June 2026
The cracks hadn’t been caught in regular maintenance on the plane, which raised questions about the adequacy of the maintenance schedule.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for adequacy
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Maman Ibrahim, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
More than half of the regions NERC studied could face resource-adequacy problems in that window, a worsening outlook that the group partly attributes to data centers.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 June 2026
According to the statement, Xcel has identified resource adequacy as a growing concern for several years and has proposed multiple solutions, including a near-term procurement plan designed to add 3,800 megawatts of new generation capacity.
—Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 2 June 2026
The cracks hadn’t been caught in regular maintenance on the plane, which raised questions about the adequacy of the maintenance schedule.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for adequacy
Cite this Entry
“Adequacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adequacy. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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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