adequacy
noun
ad·e·qua·cy
ˈa-di-kwə-sē 
plural adequacies
: the quality or state of being adequate
Did you know?
When we question the adequacy of health-care coverage, or parking facilities, or school funding, we're asking if they are equal to our need. The adjective adequate means "enough" or "acceptable"—though in sentences like "His performance was adequate", it really means "no better than acceptable".
Examples of adequacy in a Sentence
the fire department sent someone to determine the adequacy of the building's evacuation plan
Recent Examples on the Web
The disaster has prompted a forthcoming special legislative session to evaluate and enhance strategies for managing future natural disasters, as officials face scrutiny over the handling of the flood and the adequacy of emergency alerts
Update: 7/9/25, 12:41 p.m.
—
Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025
The death toll from flooding in Texas surpassed 100 on Monday, as officials faced scrutiny over the adequacy of local warning systems.
—semafor.com, 8 July 2025
The system monitors adequacy across all service areas while tracking provider performance against configurable benchmarks.
—Tammy Hawes, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Our Albany leaders should face up to the need for real financing reform that will deliver trust fund solvency and benefit adequacy while providing small business relief and UI tax fairness.
—James A. Parrott, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adequacy
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025
The death toll from flooding in Texas surpassed 100 on Monday, as officials faced scrutiny over the adequacy of local warning systems.
—semafor.com, 8 July 2025
The system monitors adequacy across all service areas while tracking provider performance against configurable benchmarks.
—Tammy Hawes, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Our Albany leaders should face up to the need for real financing reform that will deliver trust fund solvency and benefit adequacy while providing small business relief and UI tax fairness.
—James A. Parrott, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adequacy
Cite this Entry
“Adequacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adequacy. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
adequacy
noun
ad·e·qua·cy
ˈad-i-kwə-sē
plural adequacies
: the quality or state of being adequate
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