English Reference
noun

mastery

n.
US /ˈmæstɝi/ UK /mˈɑːstəɹi/ mas·tery UK spelling masteries

  1. 01 C1 Advanced Formal

    control or power over a person, a group, or a situation.

    the power to control or command; dominion or superiority over others.

    Simple

    The army struggled to gain mastery over the rebel forces.

    In context

    The empire's mastery over the trade routes ensured its economic dominance for several centuries.

  2. 02 C2 Proficiency Literary

    winning a struggle or a competition.

    superiority or victory in a contest, competition, or struggle.

    Simple

    The team finally achieved mastery over their rivals in the final game.

    In context

    After a long and bitter conflict, the king finally established mastery over the warring factions within his court.

This work was where Petrenko’s mastery of the long view paid off – in each movement Tchaikovsky’s repetitious figurations were sculpted into long lines that built and receded to create something huge.

The Guardian· 3 Sept 2026

What they demonstrate is absolute mastery of their art, Carnow especially – a former dancer and US Pole Art champion.

The Guardian· 19 Aug 2026

From Middle English maistery, maistrie, mastere, mastry, from Old French maistrie, equivalent to master + -y.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Old French maistrie
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Frequent
Updated