efficiency

noun

ef·​fi·​cien·​cy i-ˈfi-shən-sē 

plural efficiencies

1

: the quality or degree of being efficient

2

a

: efficient operation

b(1)

: effective operation as measured by a comparison of production with cost (as in energy, time, and money)

(2)

: the ratio of the useful energy delivered by a dynamic system to the energy supplied to it

3

: efficiency apartment

Synonyms

• edge
• effectiveness
• effectualness
• efficaciousness
• efficacity
• efficacy
• productiveness

Examples of efficiency in a Sentence

Because of her efficiency, we got all the work done in a few hours.

The factory was operating at peak efficiency.

A furnace with 80 percent fuel efficiency wastes 20 percent of its fuel.

The company is trying to lower costs and improve efficiencies.

Recent Examples on the Web

The coffee giant hopes to reclaim its coffeehouse crown by focusing on speed, service, and operational efficiency. —Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 15 Nov. 2024

Network Discovery claims to enhance network management efficiency. —PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024

Observations on the efficiency of the Japanese weasel, Mustela sibirica itatsi Temminck and Schlegel, as a rat-control agent in the Ryukyus PLOS ONE. —Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024

This comes as the Republican nominee and former president has promised to appoint Musk as the head of a government efficiency commission, if elected. —Sean Conlon, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin efficientia, from efficient-, efficiens "producing or giving rise to something, immediate (of a cause), efficient" + -ia -y entry 2

First Known Use

1633, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing efficiency

• efficiency apartment
• efficiency expert
• hyper-efficiency

Kids Definition

efficiency

noun

ef·​fi·​cien·​cy i-ˈfish-ən-sē 

plural efficiencies

1

: the quality or degree of being efficient

2

: efficient operation

3

: the ratio of the useful energy delivered by a machine to the energy supplied to it