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

The standard in Storrs is only excellence. —Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026

Boston College alumni and fans will find our program defined by a standard of excellence, and our team will play an unselfish, tough, and highly competitive brand of basketball. —Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 27 Mar. 2026

That excellence includes a 325-55 record, two Class 4A state titles and five state trophies overall under Kilbride, who led the Redwings at least as far as the sectional final in each of 11 full seasons. —Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026

Wemby bolsters his defensive-minded MVP case Wembanyama argued after Monday's win at Miami that his defensive excellence should factor into him winning MVP. —Tom Orsborn, San Antonio Express-News, 26 Mar. 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