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
Rhode Island MonthlyAt length horrible doubts overtake him as to the captain's competency to navigate his ship.—Herman Melville
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
Lynn OlsonI have always believed businesses that concentrate on a very few core competencies will do the best.—Bill Gates
Bill GatesWhen 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
John A. ChallengerExamples 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
The court also ordered a criminal history check and a competency evaluation, online court records show.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 12 Dec. 2025
Under state law, authorities had five years to restore her competency before the charges must be dismissed.
—Adam Thompson, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025
The 120-year-old American footwear company said that tradesworkers who are pre-approved with qualified skills, experience, and competency in managing power tools are given a chance to open the boxes for a limited edition, once-in-a-lifetime prize.
—Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 9 Dec. 2025
The document says that he had been committed to Patton State Hospital in 2013 and 2017 and again in 2021 to have his competency to stand trial restored.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for competency
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Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 12 Dec. 2025
Under state law, authorities had five years to restore her competency before the charges must be dismissed.
—Adam Thompson, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025
The 120-year-old American footwear company said that tradesworkers who are pre-approved with qualified skills, experience, and competency in managing power tools are given a chance to open the boxes for a limited edition, once-in-a-lifetime prize.
—Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 9 Dec. 2025
The document says that he had been committed to Patton State Hospital in 2013 and 2017 and again in 2021 to have his competency to stand trial restored.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for competency
Cite this Entry
“Competency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/competency. Accessed 14 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
competency
noun
com·pe·ten·cy
ˈkäm-pət-ən-sē
Medical Definition
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)
State v. Scoggin, 72 S.E.2d 54 (1952)Love words? Need even more definitions?
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