excellence

noun

ex·​cel·​lence ˈek-s(ə-)lən(t)s How to pronounce excellence (audio)
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 excellencesDaniel Mendelsohn
3
or Excellence : excellency sense 2
Lord Regent, I do greet your ExcellenceWilliam Shakespeare

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
She was selected as one of just 100 high school seniors across San Diego County to receive this honor, recognizing her academic excellence and leadership. News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 May 2025 Through strategic integration of emerging payment technologies, companies can ensure their payment acceptance policies and experiences are a driving force behind customer satisfaction, operational excellence, cost optimization and competitive differentiation on a global scale. Bob Purcell, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025 Named in honor of legendary artist and educator David C. Driskell, the prize has become a benchmark of excellence in the field. Okla Jones, Essence, 9 May 2025 From its early roots in New York City to its emergence as a global symbol of excellence, Bulova has continuously broken boundaries, marking moments in history and reflecting the ever-evolving spirit of innovation. William Earl, Variety, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for excellence

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of excellence was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Excellence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excellence. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

excellence

noun
ex·​cel·​lence ˈek-s(ə-)lən(t)s How to pronounce excellence (audio)
1
: high quality
2
: an excellent quality : virtue
3

More from Merriam-Webster on excellence

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