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
Jack’s deep experience in running Yale’s campus, led to his founding a private company that worked with colleges and universities on facilities management, and especially, cost efficiency.
—
Matthew G. Andersson, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
First, fiscal responsibility means protecting taxpayer dollars by funding core priorities Idahoans rely on, such as Infrastructure, public safety and education, while identifying waste, improving efficiency, and reducing the tax burden whenever possible.
—Mark Dee
may 3, Idaho Statesman, 3 May 2026
However, the degradation efficiency of individual Bacillus strain and the single-enzyme system remains limited.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 May 2026
The team used sophisticated MESA stellar evolution models, tweaking that mysterious efficiency parameter to see what happened.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 3 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for efficiency
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Matthew G. Andersson, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
First, fiscal responsibility means protecting taxpayer dollars by funding core priorities Idahoans rely on, such as Infrastructure, public safety and education, while identifying waste, improving efficiency, and reducing the tax burden whenever possible.
—Mark Dee
may 3, Idaho Statesman, 3 May 2026
However, the degradation efficiency of individual Bacillus strain and the single-enzyme system remains limited.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 May 2026
The team used sophisticated MESA stellar evolution models, tweaking that mysterious efficiency parameter to see what happened.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 3 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for efficiency
Cite this Entry
“Efficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/efficiency. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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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