incumbency

noun

in·​cum·​ben·​cy in-ˈkəm-bən(t)-sē 

plural incumbencies

1

: the sphere of action or period of office of an incumbent

2

: the quality or state of being incumbent

3

: something that is incumbent : duty

Synonyms

• obligation
• duty
• responsibility
• office
• need
• promise

Examples of incumbency in a Sentence

Hundreds of new jobs were created during her incumbency.

the advantages of incumbency during an election

a politician seeking to keep his incumbency

Recent Examples on the Web

Pettersson’s sturdy performances over the weekend, and the fact that the club gave him a lengthy look on Sunday on the right side, would seem to have reinforced his incumbency in the battle for a spot in the opening-night lineup. —Thomas Drance, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025

Despite that incumbency, Cook County Democrats opted earlier this summer to endorse someone else, Lyons Township Assessor Pat Hynes, in the March 2026 primary election. —A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025

Whoever emerges from that primary will also lack the same incumbency advantage Ernst would have had, Peterson added. —Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025

But disruption rarely respects incumbency. —Jason Wingard, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1608, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for incumbency

• recumbency

Kids Definition

incumbency

noun

in·​cum·​ben·​cy in-ˈkəm-bən-sē 

plural incumbencies

: the time during which a person holds an office or position