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 of excellence

• excellency
• superiority
• perfection

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

Adapting and thriving There have been drastic, sweeping changes to college athletics during this run of Pios excellence. —Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 12 Apr. 2026

Backed by deep domain expertise in acoustic engineering and manufacturing excellence, Ultra Maritime continues to lead the evolution of sonobuoy technology, according to the company. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 12 Apr. 2026

How deeply they are missed, those men across the line who made excellence necessary. —Ron Mix, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026

That was the case not only because of Panarin and Forsberg’s excellence, but because of defenseman Cody Ceci’s last-ditch desperation. —Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 11 Apr. 2026

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