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
Rhode IslandAt 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. ChallengerSynonyms
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
That involves taking competencies, soft skills, and working styles into consideration during the hiring process.
—Byryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 9 Apr. 2024
Be a continuous learner; invest in developing new skills and competencies by taking online courses, attending workshops, or seeking mentorship opportunities.
—Ebony Flake, Essence, 8 Apr. 2024
Enrollment has doubled since the program launched, and last year 96 percent of students earned a certificate of competency, with 41 students earning college credit.
—Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2024
Both of the new diplomas will require students to fulfill three components: foundational knowledge and competencies, employability skills and postsecondary-ready competencies.
—Caroline Beck, The Indianapolis Star, 28 Mar. 2024
Below, 15 members of Forbes Agency Council share what their agencies are doing to keep up with the demands of DT and leverage new must-have competencies across enterprises and industries to drive better returns on their clients’ investments.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Cohen said the focuses in Arkansas should include lowering maternal mortality rates, increasing rural health care access and continuing to work on cultural competency in medicine.
—Lydia Fletcher, arkansasonline.com, 9 Apr. 2024
To achieve a safer future, more leaders should strive to make cybersecurity a core competency.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024
Weeks after his arrest in August, a federal magistrate judge ordered a competency hearing for Sidhwaney.
—Antonio Planas, NBC News, 2 Apr. 2024
Byryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 9 Apr. 2024
Be a continuous learner; invest in developing new skills and competencies by taking online courses, attending workshops, or seeking mentorship opportunities.
—Ebony Flake, Essence, 8 Apr. 2024
Enrollment has doubled since the program launched, and last year 96 percent of students earned a certificate of competency, with 41 students earning college credit.
—Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2024
Both of the new diplomas will require students to fulfill three components: foundational knowledge and competencies, employability skills and postsecondary-ready competencies.
—Caroline Beck, The Indianapolis Star, 28 Mar. 2024
Below, 15 members of Forbes Agency Council share what their agencies are doing to keep up with the demands of DT and leverage new must-have competencies across enterprises and industries to drive better returns on their clients’ investments.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Cohen said the focuses in Arkansas should include lowering maternal mortality rates, increasing rural health care access and continuing to work on cultural competency in medicine.
—Lydia Fletcher, arkansasonline.com, 9 Apr. 2024
To achieve a safer future, more leaders should strive to make cybersecurity a core competency.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024
Weeks after his arrest in August, a federal magistrate judge ordered a competency hearing for Sidhwaney.
—Antonio Planas, NBC News, 2 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'competency.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near competency
Cite this Entry
“Competency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/competency. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
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?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share