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

But excellence comes down to taste. —Brian Unger, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025

For most teams, a 30-year-old lefty with an All-Star appearance, a track record of playoff excellence, and low-three ERAs in each of the last two seasons would be a priority to keep around. —Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025

Mire said his vision is to make KCFD a symbol of excellence and a beacon for the direction of fire service. —Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 5 Dec. 2025

No matter the tool, each pupil can benefit from personalized aid, designed to promote educational excellence. —Nia Bowers, USA Today, 4 Dec. 2025

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