mastery

noun

mas·​tery ˈma-st(ə-)rē 

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

Synonyms of mastery

• proficiency

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

The hitters continued their mastery of El Camino Real pitching, hitting one ball after another to right field. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026

As our ancestors’ mastery of fire grew, so did their ingenuity in creating comfort. —Literary Hub, 1 May 2026

The meal didn’t have to be particularly elegant or display such culinary mastery, and the table didn’t have to be set for royalty. —Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 1 May 2026

Biology as the Next Engineering Material If researchers gain that mastery, what will be possible? —Eliza Strickland, IEEE Spectrum, 30 Apr. 2026

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

Phrases Containing mastery

• self-mastery

Kids Definition

mastery

noun

mas·​tery ˈmas-t(ə-)rē 

plural masteries

1

: the position or authority of a master

2

: victory

3

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

a mastery of French