competency

noun

com·​pe·​ten·​cy ˈkäm-pə-tən(t)-sē 

plural competencies

1

: competence: such as

a

: possession of sufficient knowledge or skill

Dr. Polidoro was cited for his outstanding contributions to the profession, his professional … competency … and dedication.

—Rhode Island Monthly

At length horrible doubts overtake him as to the captain's competency to navigate his ship.

—Herman Melville

b

: legal authority, ability, or admissibility

They evaluated the defendant's competency to stand trial.

2

: a specific area of competence

A "meister," or master, who works with the student at the jobsite will then be able to check off when an apprentice has achieved certain competencies.

—Lynn Olson

I have always believed businesses that concentrate on a very few core competencies will do the best.

—Bill Gates

When coming up with a list of different industries, positions, and professions to which your skills could transfer, the key is to think in terms of your core competencies.

—John A. Challenger

Synonyms of competency

• ability
• capacity
• capability
• competence

Examples of competency in a Sentence

Critics have questioned the director's competency.

she's proved that she has the competency to run a major company

Recent Examples on the Web

If the problem in the past has been core competencies and automakers trying to offer products outside of those, then partnering with a company like Microsoft may result in some benefits. —Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 16 Apr. 2026

In 2024, the prosecution was put on hold after Bernandino-Santiago’s lawyer declared a doubt to his mental competency, but things picked up after he was found competent for trial. —Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026

The companies that will emerge with the most competitive edge in their workforce will be those that understand the difference between competency and literacy in AI. —Jeff Raikes, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2026

The judge told the court that the ruling is in an effort to restore Cindy Rodriguez Singh's competency to stand trial for the murder of her son, Noel Rodriguez Alvarez, CBS News Texas reporter Kelsy Mittauer confirmed. —Briauna Brown, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see competent

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for competency

• incompetency

Kids Definition

competency

noun

com·​pe·​ten·​cy ˈkäm-pət-ən-sē 

: competence

Medical Definition

competency

noun

com·​pe·​ten·​cy -ən-sē 

plural competencies

: competence

Legal Definition

competency

noun

com·​pe·​ten·​cy ˈkäm-pə-tən-sē 

1

: the quality or state of being mentally competent compare capacity, incompetence, insanity

2

: the quality or state of being legally qualified or adequate

the competency, quantum and legal effect of evidence

—State v. Scoggin, 72 S.E.2d 54 (1952)