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

Six months later, everyone unveils three sentences about excellence, integrity and exceptional solutions. — Brian Duggan, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2026

We are always told that the Latin Recording Academy awards should not be based on streaming numbers, chart positions, or popularity, but on musical excellence. — Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 16 Sep. 2026

De Paula is the crown jewel of a Dodgers farm system that is expected to prolong this run of excellence. — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

The two schools started playing one another in 1894 – actually seven years before the game against Mississippi State got its start – and, fueled by proximity and excellence, roared through the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s with meaningful games. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 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