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

The appointment recognizes academic excellence and fosters international collaboration through short-term exchange programs, a release said. —Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026

Is the bullpen’s excellence sustainable? —Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026

Greenard was expendable given the emergence last year of 2024 first-round draft pick Dallas Turner and the overall excellence when healthy of fellow outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel. —Frederick Sutton Sinclair, CBS News, 25 Apr. 2026

Over time, the culture itself starts selecting leaders who are best at reducing anxiety rather than producing excellence. —Jonathan Alpert Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 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