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efficiency definition

ef·fi·ciency (e fis̸h′ən sē, i-)

noun pl. efficiencies -·cies

  1. ability to produce a desired effect, product, etc. with a minimum of effort, expense, or waste; quality or fact of being efficient
  2. the ratio of effective work to the energy expended in producing it, as of a machine; output divided by input
  3. ☆ efficiency apartment

Etymology: L efficientia: see efficient

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

business efficiency definition - business

medical efficiency definition - medical

efficiency Synonyms

efficiency

n.

  1. A high degree of effectiveness

    competence, capability, capableness; see ability 2.

  2. The relation of results to expenditure

    productivity, effectiveness, power, potency, performance, suitability, adaptability, thoroughness, energy, effectualness, efficaciousness, adequacy, productiveness, powerfulness, efficacy, competence, proficiency, elasticity, conductivity, response, potential energy, faculty, facility, practical utility, profitability, yield.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

efficiency Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • improve: We're spending nearly £ 600 million to improve the efficiency of the planning system.

Adjective modifier

  • operational: CRM can help you with: 1. Operational efficiency - to be more productive.

Modifies a noun

  • saving: The efficiency savings will have a huge effect on pay.

Noun used with modifier

  • energy: The energy efficiency of much of the UK's housing is, thus, poor or very poor.
efficiency usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

efficiency quotes

We must protect big business from domination by fat- minded men whose principal business policy is to avoid a competitive race for efficiency† They believe in a system of soft enterprise,ösoft in the way that an octopus is soft, with tentacles that stifle and suffocate.

-Arnold,ThurmanWesley

Efficiency†is measured at the extremities.You do not find the efficiency of an army at headquarters, nor of a firminhead office.It isattheremotest pointötheprivate soldier or humble legionary on the distant frontier, the girl at the counter or the branch-office junior salesman öthat the really decisive test of an army or a firm is made.It istherethat all theinstructionand knowledge of relevant facts and procedural disciplines bear fruitöor wither on the tree.

-Jay, SirAntony Rupert

All industrial efficiency consists in trying to do with eight men what we have hitherto been doing with ten men. It consists in creating unemployment.

-Robinson, (Edward) Austin George

efficiency quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"efficiency." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/efficiency>

APA Style

efficiency. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/efficiency

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