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

• command
• IQ
• mastership
• 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

The Five Deeper Frameworks provide tools for thoughtful, long-term mastery in strategic communication. —Adrian Dearnell, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Which is where Josephina shows her natural aptitude for the job, owning a standing target at the firing range and demonstrating a rapid-fire mastery of boots-on-the-ground directives in the noise-torture obstacle course or whatever. —Andy Andersen, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024

While Tekla is renowned for its mastery in crafting home textiles, Auralee brings its expertise in fabric development to this partnership, resulting in a limited collection that is both tactile and refined for the season. —Cassell Ferere, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

The stadium’s retractable roof is a mastery of engineering, but Atlanta Falcons’ SVP, CTO, Football Strategy and Innovation, Karl Pierburg, and his team, are engineering another type of masterpiece, one that brings personalized experiences into the hands of fans and attendees. —Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024

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