efficiency

[ ih-fish-uhn-see ]

noun

, plural ef·fi·cien·cies.

1. the state or quality of being efficient, or able to accomplish something with the least waste of time and effort; competency in performance.
2. accomplishment of or ability to accomplish a job with a minimum expenditure of time and effort:

   The assembly line increased industry's efficiency.

3. the ratio of the work done or energy developed by a machine, engine, etc., to the energy supplied to it, usually expressed as a percentage.
4. efficiency apartment.

efficiency

/ ɪˈfɪʃənsɪ /

noun

1. the quality or state of being efficient; competence; effectiveness
2. the ratio of the useful work done by a machine, engine, device, etc, to the energy supplied to it, often expressed as a percentage See also thermal efficiency

efficiency

/ ĭ-fĭsh′ən-sē /

1. The ratio of the energy delivered (or work done) by a machine to the energy needed (or work required) in operating the machine. The efficiency of any machine is always less than one due to forces such as friction that use up energy unproductively.
2. See also mechanical advantage
3. The ratio of the effective or useful output to the total input in any system.

Other Words From

• nonef·ficien·cy noun
• super·ef·ficien·cy noun plural superefficiencies

Word History and Origins

Origin of efficiency¹

First recorded in 1585–95; from Latin efficientia, from efficient- (stem of efficiēns efficient ) + -ia -y ³

Example Sentences

“Most of those ideas are sinkholes for government spending, which is ironic given the Trump administration’s purported devotion to efficiency.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Just as impressive as these new records is the fact that we managed all this cargo with skill and efficiency,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times

Researchers have achieved a breakthrough in improving the efficiency of an electrochemical reaction that produces hydrogen peroxide -- a vital chemical for industrial applications such as disinfection, bleaching, and sewage treatment.

From Science Daily

Let us put aside for a moment that Trump assigned two people to head up a department concentrating on efficiency.

From Salon

"As a serial entrepreneur, Musk has been relentless in trying to improve institutional efficiency at his own enterprises, most notably, Tesla and X," says Thomas Gift, a professor of US politics at University College London.

From BBC

Related Words

• ability
• adaptability
• capability
• competence
• energy
• expertise
• performance
• productivity
• readiness
• skill
• talent