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

For-profit and Miami-Dade County health care systems come to Broward not to achieve excellence in medical care, but in a desire to expand their footprint and enjoy profits. —Arthur E. Palamara, Sun Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2026

Rooted in education and driven by innovation, CHI stands as a symbol of clean, bold beauty built on a legacy of excellence. —Tory Johnson, ABC News, 21 Feb. 2026

Academic and extracurricular excellence include membership in the National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, National English Honor Society, National Society of High School Scholars and the Order of the Arrow. —Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 20 Feb. 2026

The following dozen rooms and hallways are Dolce&Gabbana’s homage to Italy’s artisanal excellence. —Jane Wooldridge, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 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