(uncountable) The quality or state of being competent, i.e. able or suitable for a general role.

(countable) The quality or state of being able or suitable for a particular task; the quality or state of being competent for a particular task or skill.

(linguistics) The system of linguistic knowledge possessed by native speakers of a language, as opposed to its actual use in concrete situations (performance), cf. linguistic competence.

(countable, law, politics) the legal authority to deal with a matter.

(geology) The degree to which a rock is resistant to deformation or flow.