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 of mastery

• 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

Jason Robertson and Heiskanen scored on the only two regulation power plays for the Stars, who continued their special teams mastery of the Wild and are 8 for 19 in the series. —CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026

The restaurant’s core beef items reflect his mastery as a butcher. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026

There’ll be no shortage of retrospectives about his operational genius, his supply chain mastery, and his steady stewardship through the post-Jobs era. —Kim Scott, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026

Over time, systems begin to substitute for thinking, and management begins to substitute for mastery. —Richard P. Weigand, Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2026

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