excellence

noun

ex·​cel·​lence ˈek-s(ə-)lən(t)s How to pronounce excellence (audio)
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 excellencesDaniel Mendelsohn
3
or Excellence : excellency sense 2
Lord Regent, I do greet your ExcellenceWilliam Shakespeare

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The nation also won both U17 and U20 world titles in 2016 demonstrating a concerted excellence in women's soccer at youth level. Asif Burhan, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 The celebrity and business leader list reads like a who’s who of Black excellence in the U.S.: Tyler Perry, Brian Tyree Henry, Don Cheadle, Spike Lee, John Legend, Jermaine Dupri, Bakari Sellers and so on (and on…). Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Nov. 2024 Films in the program are under 40 minutes in length and represent excellence in storytelling and execution in narrative or documentary formats, reflecting unique insight into LGBTQIA+ themes, issues, or ideas. Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 1 Nov. 2024 As a premier global law firm, Caldwell believes in innovation, legal excellence, and delivering best-in-class intellectual property, litigation, and corporate advice. William Mullane, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for excellence 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of excellence was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near excellence

Cite this Entry

“Excellence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excellence. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

excellence

noun
ex·​cel·​lence ˈek-s(ə-)lən(t)s How to pronounce excellence (audio)
1
: high quality
2
: an excellent quality : virtue
3

More from Merriam-Webster on excellence

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!