Definition of "competence" []

• The state or quality of being adequately or well qualified; ability. See Synonyms at ability. (noun)
• A specific range of skill, knowledge, or ability. (noun)
• Law The quality or condition of being legally qualified to perform an act. (noun)
• Sufficient means for a comfortable existence. (noun)
• Microbiology The ability of bacteria to be genetically transformable. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Firstly, David Griffiths of University of Bolton talked about conflicting definitions of the term competence in formal learning and lifelong learning context."
• "In one of these he said: I have always, as you know looked forward to the ministry, and to such a kind of ministry as you have in America, where a man, for the most part, speaks to cultivated, instructed people, living in a healthy state of society, where a competence is the rule, and where there is a practical equality."
• "Whether we have the qualifications and relevant information to judge that competence is another matter."