com ‧ pe ‧ tence /ˈkɒmpətəns, ˈkɒmpɪtəns $ ˈkɑːm-/ BrE AmE noun
1 . [uncountable] ( also compe·ten·cy /-tənsi/) the ability to do something well OPP incompetence
competence in
Students will gain competence in a wide range of skills.
competence of
He questioned the competence of the government.
professional/linguistic/technical etc competence
Doctors have to constantly update their knowledge in order to maintain their professional competence.
2 . [uncountable] law the legal power of a court of law to hear and judge something in court, or of a government to do something
be within the competence of something
Many legal issues are within the competence of individual states rather than the federal government.
3 . [countable] ( also competency ) formal a skill needed to do a particular job:
Typing is considered by most employers to be a basic competence.
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COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ have competence
Older people often feel that they don't have any competence with computers.
▪ demonstrate/show competence
Students have to demonstrate competence in maths and science.
▪ acquire/achieve/gain/develop competence
First you have to acquire competence in methods of research.
▪ lack competence
Some staff members lacked the competence to deal with technical problems.
■ adjectives
▪ professional competence
The courses will improve the skills and professional competence of the staff.
▪ technical/linguistic/managerial etc competence
There are many careers that require a high degree of linguistic competence.
▪ social competence
The first years of life are very important in a child's growth toward social competence.
■ phrases
▪ a level/standard/degree of competence
The trainees are expected to acquire a basic level of competence.