-bənsē, -si noun
( -es )
1. : the quality or state of being incumbent: as
a. archaic : a condition of bearing upon or overshadowing
b. archaic : the quality of being morally incumbent or incumbent as a correlate of something else
c. : the state of occupying a particular position (as a benefice or office)
the mere incumbency of the Labour party in the seats of authority — Edward Shils
2. : something that is incumbent: as
a. archaic : a burdening or oppressive weight
b. : a duty, obligation, or responsibility incumbent usually as a correlate of some position or relationship held
felt it an incumbency as his older brother to rebuke him
these varied incumbencies of the father of a family
3. : the sphere of action or period of office of an incumbent
during an incumbency of over 30 years
six years of senatorial incumbency — S.H.Adams