mastery

noun

mas·​tery ˈma-st(ə-)rē How to pronounce mastery (audio)
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

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 Digital badges are a mainstay of online education, intended to attest to the completion of some form of course or the mastery of a specific skill. Derek Newton, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024 To this day, diners flock in their droves to enjoy the vast Belle Époque dining room (which formerly served as the Atlantic Bar & Grill), its mastery of steak haché and a remarkably cheap prix fixe menu. Charlie Teasdale, theweek, 16 Oct. 2024 The brand’s experts will teach specific goldsmithing techniques and various highly specialized activities that contribute to the production processes that combine artisan mastery with industrial organization. Andrea Onate, WWD, 14 Oct. 2024 Throughout the rest of the movie, Donald demonstrates his mastery of these methods in a relentless and brazen series of betrayals, disloyalties, cruelties. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mastery 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mastery.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of mastery was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near mastery

Cite this Entry

“Mastery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mastery. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

mastery

noun
mas·​tery ˈmas-t(ə-)rē How to pronounce mastery (audio)
plural masteries
1
: the position or authority of a master
2
3
: skill or knowledge that makes one master of something : command
a mastery of French

More from Merriam-Webster on mastery

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