mastery

noun

mas·tery ˈma-st(ə-)rē

Synonyms of mastery

: the authority of a master : dominion

: the upper hand in a contest or competition : superiority, ascendancy

: possession or display of great skill or technique

: 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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Physicians still pursue deep mastery in an age when most facts are a simple search away — because mastery was never really about the facts themselves. — Frances Mei Hardin, STAT, 7 Aug. 2026 Davis describes what followed in terms of confidence rather than technical mastery or coding know-how. — Will Drover, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026 Newer skillsets, of Aguilar’s mastery, help turn art into life and life into art, all of it the better for it. — Lori Waxman, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026 Ukrainian attacks inside Russia In its war against Russia, Ukraine’s mastery of long-range drones has resulted in successful bombing of over 11 major Russian refining complexes, knocking out a significant share of Russia’s fuel-making capability. — Amy Myers Jaffe, The Conversation, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mastery

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

See more words from the same century

Browse Nearby Words

masterwort

mastery

mast-fed

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Mastery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mastery. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

mastery

noun

mas·tery ˈmas-t(ə-)rē

plural masteries

: the position or authority of a master

: victory

: skill or knowledge that makes one master of something : command

a mastery of French

mastery

noun

Synonyms of mastery

Examples of mastery in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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mastery

noun

Synonyms of mastery

Examples of mastery in a Sentence

Word History

Phrases Containing mastery

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on mastery

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A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

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