efficiency
noun
ef·fi·cien·cy
i-ˈfi-shən-sē 
plural efficiencies
1
: the quality or degree of being efficient
2
a
: efficient operation
b(1)
: effective operation as measured by a comparison of production with cost (as in energy, time, and money)
(2)
: the ratio of the useful energy delivered by a dynamic system to the energy supplied to it
Examples of efficiency in a Sentence
Because of her efficiency, we got all the work done in a few hours.
The factory was operating at peak efficiency.
A furnace with 80 percent fuel efficiency wastes 20 percent of its fuel.
The company is trying to lower costs and improve efficiencies.
Recent Examples on the Web
In an era when multinationals are diversifying away from single-market dependencies, Minister Al-Falih’s remarks made clear that Riyadh wants to anchor that shift — offering predictability, efficiency, and partnership in a volatile world.
—
Dave Smith, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
For all of the perils of injecting it into the newsgathering process, AI tools have also come to be seen as useful and less-fraught ways to create efficiencies in editing, advertising and other areas.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 25 Oct. 2025
This flexibility enhances efficiency and effectiveness across multiple scenarios, from verifying and containing early-stage fires in remote terrain to supporting large-scale firefighting and cold trailing efforts on major incidents.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2025
Those efficiencies are what make the Ford the most advanced carrier in the world and result from its two nuclear reactors, whose exact specs are classified but that put out three times the electrical power of those on the Nimitz-class ships, according to the Navy.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for efficiency
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Dave Smith, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
For all of the perils of injecting it into the newsgathering process, AI tools have also come to be seen as useful and less-fraught ways to create efficiencies in editing, advertising and other areas.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 25 Oct. 2025
This flexibility enhances efficiency and effectiveness across multiple scenarios, from verifying and containing early-stage fires in remote terrain to supporting large-scale firefighting and cold trailing efforts on major incidents.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2025
Those efficiencies are what make the Ford the most advanced carrier in the world and result from its two nuclear reactors, whose exact specs are classified but that put out three times the electrical power of those on the Nimitz-class ships, according to the Navy.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for efficiency
Cite this Entry
“Efficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/efficiency. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
efficiency
noun
ef·fi·cien·cy
i-ˈfish-ən-sē
plural efficiencies
1
: the quality or degree of being efficient
2
: efficient operation
3
: the ratio of the useful energy delivered by a machine to the energy supplied to it
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