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 Bishops have not allowed a goal during the entire tournament, with Shea’s excellence being a key reason why. —Zach McMahon, Boston Herald, 8 Mar. 2026

Trump, when pressed, dodges the issue of war aims by pointing to the excellence of the military. —Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2026

YouTube became the dominant gateway into pay-TV through product excellence, not content ownership. —Lin Cherry, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026

For the last 50 years, these Games have existed alongside the Olympics—parallel in excellence, intensity, and world-class performance—created for athletes with physical differences competing at the highest level. —Oksana Masters, Time, 6 Mar. 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