perfection

noun

per·​fec·​tion pər-ˈfek-shən How to pronounce perfection (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being perfect: such as
a
: freedom from fault or defect : flawlessness
b
c
: the quality or state of being saintly
2
a
: an exemplification of supreme excellence
b
: an unsurpassable degree of accuracy or excellence
3
: the act or process of perfecting

Examples of perfection in a Sentence

She has achieved a rare perfection in her playing. His poetry is pure perfection.
Recent Examples on the Web Both of them are these shiny objects of perfection. David Browne, Rolling Stone, 4 Mar. 2024 The bulk of the time a response has a semblance of perfection. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Without the weight of perfection, these works of art display authenticity. Annemarie Dooling, USA TODAY, 29 Feb. 2024 The trick is to pan fry until golden, then bake to crispy perfection. Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2024 Just ask Zendaya, whose new nails are the definition of simple perfection. Kara Nesvig, Allure, 23 Feb. 2024 Pursuing athletic perfection Of course, sports psychology encompasses many other issues besides influencing confidence and coping with pressure. Tom Siegfried, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2024 That run of perfection ended in Denver in the divisional round of the 2005 playoffs thanks to Champ Bailey’s 100-yard interception return that sparked Denver’s 27-13 win. Arnie Stapleton, The Denver Post, 13 Feb. 2024 Melting dark brown sugar with a splash of water creates the thick, bittersweet foundation of a braising liquid that reduces to syrupy perfection while the pork belly becomes shreddably tender and moist. Inés Anguiano, Bon Appétit, 13 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'perfection.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English perfeccioun, from Anglo-French perfection, from Latin perfection-, perfectio, from perficere

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of perfection was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near perfection

Cite this Entry

“Perfection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perfection. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

perfection

noun
per·​fec·​tion pər-ˈfek-shən How to pronounce perfection (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being perfect
2
: a perfect quality or thing
3
: a degree of accuracy or excellence that cannot be bettered
cooked to perfection
4
: the act or process of perfecting

More from Merriam-Webster on perfection

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