competence

noun

com·​pe·​tence ˈkäm-pə-tən(t)s 

1

: the quality or state of being competent: such as

a

: the quality or state of having sufficient knowledge, judgment, skill, or strength (as for a particular duty or in a particular respect)

No one denies her competence as a leader.

They have demonstrated their competence in their specialty or subspecialty by passing a comprehensive exam …

—Rachael Migler

b

law : legal authority, ability, or admissibility

a matter within the competence of a judge to adjudicate

c

: the knowledge that enables a person to speak and understand a language

has demonstrated competence in conversational Arabic

compare performance sense 6

d

biology : the ability to function or develop in a particular way: such as

(1)

embryology : the ability of embryonic cells and tissue to undergo differentiation in response to an organizer (see organizer sense 2)

(2)

microbiology : the capability of bacterial cells to take up exogenous DNA during genetic transformation

2

: a sufficiency of means for the necessities and conveniences of life

"… money can only give happiness where there is nothing else to give it. Beyond a competence, it can afford no real satisfaction …"

—Jane Austen

Synonyms of competence

• ability
• capacity
• capability
• competency

Examples of competence in a Sentence

He trusts in the competence of his doctor.

questioned his competence to finish the task without help

Recent Examples on the Web

That will change, inevitably, not as a byproduct of the organization’s own competence or success, but as a result of the scale of its failure. —Thomas Drance, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026

Barely keeping the lights on is hardly a show of stewardship, let alone competence. —Kathryn Anne Edwards, Twin Cities, 14 Apr. 2026

But the former controller, despite her air of competence and decency, hasn’t been able to attract support above the low single digits. —James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026

Incredible displays of competence and poise under pressure hold the film’s plot, but Red October’s leading men are thoughtful and introspective in the quiet moments, which feels atypical for the genre. —Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see competent

First Known Use

circa 1640, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for competence

• incompetence

Kids Definition

competence

noun

com·​pe·​tence ˈkäm-pət-ən(t)s 

1

: a supply (as of money or property) that is enough to provide for the necessities of life

2

: the quality or state of being competent

Medical Definition

competence

noun

com·​pe·​tence ˈkäm-pət-ən(t)s 

: the quality or state of being functionally adequate

assess the competence of the immune system

: as

a

: the properties of an embryonic field that enable it to respond in a characteristic manner to an organizer

b

: readiness of bacteria to undergo genetic transformation

Legal Definition

competence

noun

com·​pe·​tence ˈkäm-pə-təns 

: the quality or state of being competent: as

a

: possession of sufficient knowledge or skill

b

: legal authority, ability, or admissibility

a court of general competence

the competence of witnesses

challenge the competence of the evidence