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
Diners are about being serviceable, in the literal terms of availability and of adequacy.
—
Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
In a district such as Waukegan Community Unit School District 60, which primarily serves Latine students, the schools sit below adequacy levels by $5,000 per student.
—Erykah Nava, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Creditor objections filed before the hearing raise a number of questions about the adequacy of information about the plan, including the budget carrier’s ability to project the impact of higher fuel bills on its finances.
—David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
Eighty-eight percent of executives say their employees have adequate tools; only 21% of workers agree — a 67-point gap on tool adequacy alone.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for adequacy
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Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
In a district such as Waukegan Community Unit School District 60, which primarily serves Latine students, the schools sit below adequacy levels by $5,000 per student.
—Erykah Nava, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Creditor objections filed before the hearing raise a number of questions about the adequacy of information about the plan, including the budget carrier’s ability to project the impact of higher fuel bills on its finances.
—David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
Eighty-eight percent of executives say their employees have adequate tools; only 21% of workers agree — a 67-point gap on tool adequacy alone.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 Apr. 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 28 Apr. 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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