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
Anyone overseeing others must develop self-awareness, technical competence and human skills.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
The American dream will soon be back and thriving like never before to restore competence and effectiveness to our federal government.
—Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2025
To restore competence and effectiveness to our federal government, my administration will establish the brand-new Department of Government Efficiency.
—Axios, 20 Jan. 2025
But what seems to be settling in is a general unease about the competence of local and state governance.
—Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for competence 
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Expert Panel®, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
The American dream will soon be back and thriving like never before to restore competence and effectiveness to our federal government.
—Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2025
To restore competence and effectiveness to our federal government, my administration will establish the brand-new Department of Government Efficiency.
—Axios, 20 Jan. 2025
But what seems to be settling in is a general unease about the competence of local and state governance.
—Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for competence
Dictionary Entries Near competence
Cite this Entry
“Competence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/competence. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
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
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