competence
noun
com·pe·tence
ˈkäm-pə-tən(t)s 
1
: the quality or state of being competent: such as
a
: the quality or state of having sufficient knowledge, judgment, skill, or strength (as for a particular duty or in a particular respect)
No one denies her competence as a leader.
They have demonstrated their competence in their specialty or subspecialty by passing a comprehensive exam …—
Rachael Migler
Rachael Migler
b
law
: legal authority, ability, or admissibility
a matter within the competence of a judge to adjudicate
c
: the knowledge that enables a person to speak and understand a language
has demonstrated competence in conversational Arabic
compare performance sense 6
d
biology
: the ability to function or develop in a particular way: such as
(1)
embryology
: the ability of embryonic cells and tissue to undergo differentiation in response to an organizer (see organizer sense 2)
(2)
microbiology
: the capability of bacterial cells to take up exogenous DNA during genetic transformation
2
: a sufficiency of means for the necessities and conveniences of life
" … money can only give happiness where there is nothing else to give it. Beyond a competence, it can afford no real satisfaction … "—Jane Austen
Jane AustenSynonyms
Examples of competence in a Sentence
He trusts in the competence of his doctor.
questioned his competence to finish the task without help
Recent Examples on the Web
National Pride The Olympic Games are a point of pride for the Chinese government, as a way to project the country’s strength and competence.
—Tariq Panja, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2024
The wide gap between Iranian zealotry (ph) and enthusiasm and Israeli competence has now been laid bare for all to see.
—CBS News, 14 Apr. 2024
There’s no issue with EV competence in Norway, where 82% of new cars sold last year were electric, said a spokesman for the Norwegian Automobile Federation, though there is a general shortage of mechanics.
—Jamie Nimmo, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2024
Directed with polished competence by TV episodic veteran Terry McDonough, this watchable but forgettable thriller runs a brisk gamut from the uninspired to the implausible.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 11 Apr. 2024
When competence and risk are balanced, the participant is in the middle, and when risk exceeds competence, the outcome can be catastrophic.
—Maggie Slepian, Longreads, 2 Apr. 2024
Women should learn to communicate their experiences at home, at work and in wider society where they have been disenfranchised or overlooked despite their talents, competence and merit.
—Abiola Salami, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
While no one can take your talent from you, being liked by your peers can carry you to places your competence never will.
—Jasmine Browley, Essence, 21 Mar. 2024
Under Xi, the person added, the growing role of the state in China’s technology industry has emphasized ideology over competence, impeded pay and made access to officials pivotal.
—Associated Press, Quartz, 8 Mar. 2024
Tariq Panja, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2024
The wide gap between Iranian zealotry (ph) and enthusiasm and Israeli competence has now been laid bare for all to see.
—CBS News, 14 Apr. 2024
There’s no issue with EV competence in Norway, where 82% of new cars sold last year were electric, said a spokesman for the Norwegian Automobile Federation, though there is a general shortage of mechanics.
—Jamie Nimmo, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2024
Directed with polished competence by TV episodic veteran Terry McDonough, this watchable but forgettable thriller runs a brisk gamut from the uninspired to the implausible.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 11 Apr. 2024
When competence and risk are balanced, the participant is in the middle, and when risk exceeds competence, the outcome can be catastrophic.
—Maggie Slepian, Longreads, 2 Apr. 2024
Women should learn to communicate their experiences at home, at work and in wider society where they have been disenfranchised or overlooked despite their talents, competence and merit.
—Abiola Salami, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
While no one can take your talent from you, being liked by your peers can carry you to places your competence never will.
—Jasmine Browley, Essence, 21 Mar. 2024
Under Xi, the person added, the growing role of the state in China’s technology industry has emphasized ideology over competence, impeded pay and made access to officials pivotal.
—Associated Press, Quartz, 8 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'competence.' 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 competence
Cite this Entry
“Competence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/competence. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
competence
noun
com·pe·tence
ˈkäm-pət-ən(t)s
1
: a supply (as of money or property) that is enough to provide for the necessities of life
2
: the quality or state of being competent
Medical Definition
competence
noun
com·pe·tence
ˈkäm-pət-ən(t)s
: the quality or state of being functionally adequate
assess the competence of the immune system
: as
a
: the properties of an embryonic field that enable it to respond in a characteristic manner to an organizer
b
: readiness of bacteria to undergo genetic transformation
Legal Definition
competence
noun
com·pe·tence
ˈkäm-pə-təns
: the quality or state of being competent: as
a
: possession of sufficient knowledge or skill
b
: legal authority, ability, or admissibility
a court of general competence
the competence of witnesses
challenge the competence of the evidence
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share