efficiency

noun ef·fi·cien·cy \ i-ˈfi-shən-sē \

Updated on: 12 Apr 2018

Definition of efficiency

plural efficiencies

1 : the quality or degree of being efficient

2 a : 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

See efficiency defined for English-language learners

See efficiency defined for kids

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 of efficiency from the Web

The 2-liter turbo is the Cherokee’s top engine, thanks to its fuel efficiency and ability to produce plenty of torque at low engine speeds, a characteristic that’s very useful when off-roading.

— mark phelan, USA TODAY, "Review: New looks, engine reboot Jeep Cherokee for 2019," 6 Apr. 2018
That’s because long work spans can actually decrease your efficiency.

— julie davis, chicagotribune.com, "All that overtime could be killing you," 5 Apr. 2018
This will improve your stride efficiency, effectively making flat-ground running feel easier.

— john goldthorp, Philly.com, "Broad Street Run training plan to finish faster: Month 3," 30 Mar. 2018
And demand from airlines for the new generation of engines remains robust, thanks to their high fuel efficiency (over 85% of the fuel savings for the Boeing 737 MAX comes from the engines).

— The Economist, "The world’s three biggest engine-makers hit a snag," 22 Mar. 2018
This was a way to address Medicare’s insolvency, improve its efficiency, and update its benefits without raising taxes or cutting the program.

— bobby jindal, WSJ, "Republicans’ Quiet Health Victory," 21 Mar. 2018
Several bills seek to give the US Food and Drug Administration more authority and new methods to streamline its efficiency and effectiveness.

— wayne drash, CNN, "This is how lawmakers plan to end the opioid crisis," 20 Mar. 2018
Because plants can be grown inside, year round, and in optimal conditions, proponents of the method tout its efficiency in being able to help feed a ballooning world population, predicted to reach 10 billion people by 2050.

— beth kowitt, Fortune, "A New Startup Wants to Grow More Nutritious Food," 20 Mar. 2018
That figure ranks her in the top 80 nationally, but what advanced stats reveal is that Cunningham is actually one of the best scorers in the country because of her efficiency.

— tim casey, New York Times, "How Good Is That Women’s Player? Look a Little Deeper," 16 Mar. 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.

First Known Use of efficiency

1633

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

efficiency Synonyms

EFFICIENCY Defined for English Language Learners

efficiency

noun

Definition of efficiency for English Language Learners

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