mastery

noun

mas·​tery ˈma-st(ə-)rē 

1

a

: the authority of a master : dominion

b

: the upper hand in a contest or competition : superiority, ascendancy

2

a

: possession or display of great skill or technique

b

: skill or knowledge that makes one master of a subject : command

Synonyms

• proficiency

Examples of mastery in a Sentence

We were impressed by her mastery of the subject.

She achieved a complete mastery of French.

He struggled to gain mastery of his fears.

Recent Examples on the Web

Here, the proof of Sanoë’s mastery is in the (fabric) pudding. —Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025

Saturn in Virgo reminds you that true mastery is a process. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025

Praised by offensive line coach Jim Bollman as arriving with a rare mastery of the position, Mangold was compared to All-American LeCharles Bentley for his football IQ and technique. —Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025

Indeed, mastery of the legal rules, procedures, and principles is how lawyers distinguish themselves. —Fabio Bertoni, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English maistrie, from Anglo-French mestrie, maistrie, from meistre master

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing mastery

• self-mastery

Kids Definition

mastery

noun

mas·​tery ˈmas-t(ə-)rē 

plural masteries

1

: the position or authority of a master

2

: victory

3

: skill or knowledge that makes one master of something : command

a mastery of French