Definitions
1.nounThe quality or state of being competent, i.e. able or suitable for a general role.
2.nounThe quality or state of being able or suitable for a particular task; the quality or state of being competent for a particular task.
3.nounThe system of linguistic knowledge possessed by native speakers of a language, as opposed to its actual use in concrete situations (performance), cf. :w:linguistic competence.
4.nounA sustainable income.
5.nounThe legal authority to deal with a matter."That question is out with the competence of this court and must be taken to a higher court."
6.nounThe degree to which a rock is resistant to deformation or flow.