noun · 9 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
Received-Pronunciation:/ˈmɑːs.t(ə.)ɹi/
UK:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
General-American:/ˈmæs.tɚ.i/
CMU ARPABET:M AE1 S T ER0 IY0
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
The position or authority of a master; dominion; command; supremacy; superiority.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: uncountable, usually
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
Superiority in war or competition; victory; triumph; preeminence.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: uncountable, usually
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
The act or process of mastering; the state of having mastered; expertise.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: uncountable, usually
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
A contest for superiority.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: obsolete, uncountable, usually
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
A masterly operation; a feat.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: obsolete, uncountable, usually
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
noun
Meaning 6
The philosopher's stone.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: obsolete, uncountable, usually
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
noun
Meaning 7
the act of mastering or subordinating someone
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: subordination
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: domination
8
noun
Meaning 8
great skillfulness and knowledge of some subject or activity
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
a good command of French
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: command, control
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: skillfulness
9
noun
Meaning 9
power to dominate or defeat
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
mastery of the seas
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: domination, supremacy
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: dominance, ascendance, ascendence, ascendancy, ascendency, control