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
Synonyms
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
Optimize performance automatically: AI can recommend (and, in some cases, execute) changes to improve network efficiency.
—
Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
Until then, the issue remains a point of contention between lawmakers, watchdogs, and Musk's expanding influence in government efficiency efforts.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
This is all on top of the mayor’s 2025 budget, which hiked taxes for working families through increases in fees on parking, ride-share, shopping bags and streaming services while refusing to consider commonsense government efficiencies.
—Bill Conway, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
There will also, no doubt, be a search for efficiency savings, and efforts to root out what Mr. Trump has called incompetence and corruption.
—Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for efficiency 
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Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
Until then, the issue remains a point of contention between lawmakers, watchdogs, and Musk's expanding influence in government efficiency efforts.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
This is all on top of the mayor’s 2025 budget, which hiked taxes for working families through increases in fees on parking, ride-share, shopping bags and streaming services while refusing to consider commonsense government efficiencies.
—Bill Conway, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
There will also, no doubt, be a search for efficiency savings, and efforts to root out what Mr. Trump has called incompetence and corruption.
—Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for efficiency
Cite this Entry
“Efficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/efficiency. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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