English▸ noun
1 British English a pass of an examination or an official completion of a course, especially one conferring status as a recognized practitioner of a profession or activity:
I left school at 15 with no qualifications.
▪ [mass noun] the action or fact of becoming qualified as a recognized practitioner of a profession or activity:
her qualification as a barrister.
▪ a quality or accomplishment that makes someone suitable for a particular job or activity:
only one qualification required—fabulous sense of humour.
2 a condition that must be fulfilled before a right can be acquired; an official requirement:
the five-year residency qualification for presidential candidates.
3 [mass noun] the action or fact of qualifying or being eligible for something:
they need to beat Poland to ensure qualification for the World Cup finals.
▪ (qualifications) the qualification stage of a sporting event:
he played a big part in the qualifications because he scored nine goals.
– ORIGIN mid 16th century: from medieval Latin qualificatio(n-), from the verb qualificare (see qualify).