efficiency

noun

ef·fi·cien·cy | \ i-ˈfi-shən-sē

plural efficiencies

Definition of efficiency

1 : the quality or degree of being efficient

2a : 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

3 : efficiency apartment

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about efficiency

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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

There is an efficiency in the game design that makes Gato Roboto feel concentrated. — Michael Moore, The Verge, "Gato Roboto is a streamlined Metroid starring a cat in a mech," 30 June 2019 Cuomo’s appointees have claimed that the gas pipelines will cause environmental harm and that the state can replace natural gas with efficiency and renewable energy. — Robert Bryce, National Review, "Cuomo’s Silly War on Natural Gas," 28 June 2019 And having someone to share the late-game play-making and scoring load would help Walker play with greater efficiency. — Matt Eppers, USA TODAY, "NBA free agency: Kemba Walker's top five landing spots," 27 June 2019 With most of the limelight so far being shone on a free-scoring US side, Germany has gone about its business with quiet efficiency in France. — George Ramsay, CNN, "Women's World Cup: Quarterfinals set to be 'wild and crazy'," 26 June 2019 Running the pick-and-roll with a deadly efficiency, the pair averaged 36.9 points this season, the highest combined scoring average of any reserve duo in NBA history. — Andrew Greif, latimes.com, "NBA Awards: Clippers’ Lou Williams wins Sixth Man; Antetokounmpo earns MVP," 24 June 2019 The goal of automation has always been efficiency, but in this new kind of workplace, A.I. sees humanity itself as the thing to be optimized. — Kevin Roose, New York Times, "A.I. May Not Take Your Job, but It Could Become Your Boss," 23 June 2019 Over time, with stealth and damning efficiency, this kind of toxic stress can take a toll on the body and mind. — Jenny Anderson, Quartz, "The scientific effort to protect babies from trauma before it happens," 22 June 2019 His weakness, however, was efficiency: his huge aerobic engine provided him with lots of energy to burn, but that didn’t translate to otherworldly power outputs on the bike. — Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, "The Story of the Cyclist with the Highest-Ever VO2max," 20 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'efficiency.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.