competence

noun

com·​pe·​tence ˈkäm-pə-tən(t)s How to pronounce competence (audio)
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

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 Today, much of management training revolves around that consensus: connection, clarity, and competence. Tarun Galagali, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024 So does having some degree of competence in the activity, Beauchamp says. Matt Fuchs, TIME, 30 Sep. 2024 Positive sibling connections during childhood are linked to a number of benefits later in life, including peer acceptance, social competence, academic engagement, and more intimate relationships.3 When Is Sibling Fighting Something More Serious? Alex Vance, Parents, 23 Sep. 2024 This competence is what makes villains like Moriarty or Ozymandias so compelling. Jd Barker, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for competence 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'competence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see competent

First Known Use

circa 1640, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of competence was circa 1640

Dictionary Entries Near competence

Cite this Entry

“Competence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/competence. Accessed 9 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

competence

noun
com·​pe·​tence ˈkäm-pət-ən(t)s How to pronounce competence (audio)
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 How to pronounce competence (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce competence (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on competence

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