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

Comedian, actor, and entertainer Bill Bellamy will be presented with the Icon Award at the 2026 Whats Funny Comedy Festival, recognizing his decades of excellence and impact on stand-up comedy and entertainment. — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 11 Aug. 2026

May this doll remind every child and every collector that dreams have no limits, excellence leaves a lasting imprint, and true greatness never goes out of style. — Alexis Mikulski Ruiz, VIBE.com, 10 Aug. 2026

The firms that turn recovered time into harder problems and earlier trust will define what legal excellence looks like in the decade ahead. — Avaneesh Marwaha, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

The Lantern Award recognizes organizations that exemplify excellence in patient care while fostering a healthy and supportive work environment for emergency nursing teams. — Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 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