efficiency
noun
ef·fi·cien·cy
i-ˈfi-shən-sē 
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
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
This plug-in hybrid system is designed to deliver what the automaker claims is 47 percent thermal efficiency.
—
Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 23 Feb. 2026
These components work together to fight and remove stains, boost the efficiency of your machine, prevent redeposition of dirt on clothes, soften the water, and—of course—provide a clean scent.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2026
Since then, a number of factors — a switch to other development models in search of more efficiency, COVID, and aftereffects of the 2023 strikes among them — combined to push the number of network pilots down each year to a low of just five in 2024.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 21 Feb. 2026
The bill aims to bring more efficiency and transparency to the state’s popular school-voucher program by proposing the separation of private-school voucher funds from public-school funds.
—Natalie La Roche Pietri, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for efficiency
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Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 23 Feb. 2026
These components work together to fight and remove stains, boost the efficiency of your machine, prevent redeposition of dirt on clothes, soften the water, and—of course—provide a clean scent.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2026
Since then, a number of factors — a switch to other development models in search of more efficiency, COVID, and aftereffects of the 2023 strikes among them — combined to push the number of network pilots down each year to a low of just five in 2024.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 21 Feb. 2026
The bill aims to bring more efficiency and transparency to the state’s popular school-voucher program by proposing the separation of private-school voucher funds from public-school funds.
—Natalie La Roche Pietri, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for efficiency
Cite this Entry
“Efficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/efficiency. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
efficiency
noun
ef·fi·cien·cy
i-ˈfish-ən-sē
plural efficiencies
1
: the quality or degree of being efficient
2
: efficient operation
3
: the ratio of the useful energy delivered by a machine to the energy supplied to it
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