efficiency

[ih-fish-uhn-see]

noun

plural

efficiencies 

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

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 Word Forms

• nonefficiency noun
• superefficiency noun

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

While stores may want to avoid hiring more people amid regular increases in minimum wage, they may find that being forced to hire more people actually boosts sales and efficiency.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The MIT team is now working on further improving the efficiency of prime editors, through further modifications of Cas9 and the RNA template.

Read more on Science Daily

Trimming 7.65 seconds over the course of a mile is a monumental leap that will require every possible efficiency.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Daimler and Toyota said Thursday that they would consolidate their manufacturing footprint into three sites from five by the end of 2028, in a bid to achieve efficiencies.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“But they also want efficiency and certainty in permitting and the ability to build infrastructure.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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