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

This brick colonial, tucked away at the end of a cul-de-sac in Devonwood, one of Farmington’s premier communities, defines design excellence, luxury, and comfort. —James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 14 June 2026

Supportive leadership includes recognizing the power of place and fortifying it with the tools, trust, and care needed for excellence to grow and thrive. —Chip Bell, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026

SpaceX for years stood apart in the commercial space industry for its engineering excellence and ability to bring out-there ideas to fruition. —Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 12 June 2026

Bernardo Silva — Portugal/Manchester City Silva’s excellence transcends position; this is an attacking midfielder Pep Guardiola seriously considered deploying at centre-back three years ago. —Liam Twomey, New York Times, 11 June 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