incumbency

noun

in·​cum·​ben·​cy in-ˈkəm-bən(t)-sē 

plural incumbencies

1

: the sphere of action or period of office of an incumbent

2

: the quality or state of being incumbent

3

: something that is incumbent : duty

Synonyms

• burden
• charge
• commitment
• devoir
• do [archaic]
• duty
• imperative
• need
• obligation
• office
• responsibility

Examples of incumbency in a Sentence

Hundreds of new jobs were created during her incumbency.

the advantages of incumbency during an election

a politician seeking to keep his incumbency

Recent Examples on the Web

At a basic level, she was saddled with the weight of incumbency at a time when people wanted change. —Reid J. Epstein, New York Times, 27 Dec. 2024

There are about two dozen tossup House races, where either party could come away with the win regardless of incumbency, according to Cook Political Report as of Wednesday morning. —Joyce Orlando, The Tennessean, 6 Nov. 2024

In 2024, the pressures of incumbency, right-wing populism, and an intensifying gender gap have degraded bedrock coalitions, allowing Republicans to make inroads among Black and Hispanic men and Democrats to run up the margins in affluent suburbs. —The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024

Still, Cassidy is not without resources and the benefit of incumbency. —Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1608, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Kids Definition

incumbency

noun

in·​cum·​ben·​cy in-ˈkəm-bən-sē 

plural incumbencies

: the time during which a person holds an office or position