excellence

noun

ex·​cel·​lence ˈek-s(ə-)lən(t)s 

1

: the quality of being excellent

an award for academic excellence

setting a high standard of excellence

see also black excellence

2

plural excellences : an excellent or valuable quality : virtue

… I am as admiring as almost everyone else of the film's many excellences …

—Daniel Mendelsohn

3

or Excellence : excellency sense 2

Lord Regent, I do greet your Excellence …

—William Shakespeare

Synonyms

• choiceness
• distinction
• excellency
• first-rateness
• greatness
• perfection
• preeminence
• primeness
• superbness
• superiority
• supremacy

Examples of excellence in a Sentence

The school is known for the excellence of its teachers.

an award for academic excellence

setting a high standard of excellence

Recent Examples on the Web

When a nonprofit commits to doing the work, diversity transforms from a goal into a cornerstone of organizational excellence. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025

Hospitals must adapt to new engagement strategies that cater to these changing expectations while ensuring excellence like before—or perhaps better than before. —Dr. Fatih Mehmet Gul, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025

Today, inclusive collaboration is key for excellence in science. —Filomena Nunes, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2025

Still, there is a kind of simplicity to her pursuit of excellence. —Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing excellence

• Black excellence
• center of excellence
• par excellence

Kids Definition

excellence

noun

ex·​cel·​lence ˈek-s(ə-)lən(t)s 

1

: high quality

2

: an excellent quality : virtue

3

: excellency sense 2