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

In 2014, Jocelyn Peters was recognized for excellence in the classroom. —Marcelena Spencer, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2026

Now in its 53rd season, as the world’s largest event dedicated to the promotion of skiing and snowboarding among communities of color, the NBS Summit is a vital celebration of Black excellence. —James Edward Mills, Outside, 15 Mar. 2026

This relentless pursuit of excellence has resulted in a body of work that is as technically impressive as it is emotionally resonant. —Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026

The rise of the chef as an auteur during the 1970s with an obsession with Michelin-star-level excellence only accelerated the poor behavior as prices and egos rose. —ABC News, 14 Mar. 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