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

Base rents are now $110 for an efficiency and $130 for a one-bedroom unit. — Bill Leukhardt, Courant Community, "Waiting List Open For Southington Housing Authority Apartments," 13 July 2018 The apt word here is pampering, yes, but there’s an undercurrent of efficiency—all the beautifying rituals in a single place for maximum unwind. — Laura Regensdorf, Vogue, "Meet the NYC Detox Shop Where Cryotherapy and CBD-Infused Smoothies Are on the Menu," 11 July 2018 Yurovsky had, meanwhile, been planning the family’s murder, though with a surprising lack of efficiency for such a ruthless, dedicated Bolshevik. — Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, "Inside the Romanov Family's Final Days," 1 July 2018 The unfortunate reality is that under the present system, migrant children are not accounted for with the same efficiency and accuracy as property. — Margaret Hartmann, Daily Intelligencer, "Judge Orders Trump Administration to Reunite Migrant Families Within 30 Days," 27 June 2018 Our Chinese patriot might argue that, at this moment, Western democracies are not exactly models of efficiency and action. — Mark Sappenfield, The Christian Science Monitor, "The costs of liberty," 15 June 2018 Fonseca brings expertise in sustainable communities, energy efficiency and affordable housing to the board. — Rosemarie Stein, OregonLive.com, "Business Movers: Governor Brown appoints Sean O'Hollaren to Port Commission," 13 June 2018 Greater computational efficiency and refined data-parsing tools may very well make this kind of 48-hour computer-crunch of filmmaking a real possibility in the future. — Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, "This wild, AI-generated film is the next step in “whole-movie puppetry”," 11 June 2018 The push for increasing efficiency and green technology in the auto industry shows no signs of slowing, and now the RV industry is getting into the game. — Megan Barber, Curbed, "Winnebago launches an all-electric RV," 25 May 2018

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.

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Last Updated

10 Oct 2018

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The first known use of efficiency was in 1633

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More Definitions for efficiency

efficiency

noun

English Language Learners Definition of efficiency

: the ability to do something or produce something without wasting materials, time, or energy : the quality or degree of being efficient ( technical )

See the full definition for efficiency in the English Language Learners Dictionary

efficiency

noun

ef·fi·cien·cy | \i-ˈfi-shən-sē

plural efficiencies