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

Their expressions revealed not simply technical excellence, but also emotional investment. — Octavia McBride-Ahebee, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Sep. 2026

In that time, the program has not been the platonic ideal of college football excellence. — Pete Sampson, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Cristobal still preaches relentless effort, a pursuit of excellence and, of course, the team focusing on going 1-0 every week. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026

Under the leadership of Founder Girijesh Kumar and Co-Founder & CEO Marc Rothmeyer, Mobcoder AI combines engineering excellence with commercial strategy and operational discipline across every engagement. — Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 3 Sep. 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