Origin: Latin suffix -ance
Performance has 6 different meanings across 1 category:
a dramatic or musical entertainment
"they listened to ten different performances"
"the play ran for 100 performances"
"the frequent performances of the symphony testify to its popularity"
the act of presenting a play or a piece of music or other entertainment
"we congratulated him on his performance at the rehearsal"
"an inspired performance of Mozart's C minor concerto"
the act of performing; of doing something successfully; using knowledge as distinguished from merely possessing it
"they criticised his performance as mayor"
"experience generally improves performance"
any recognized accomplishment
"they admired his performance under stress"
"when Roger Maris powered four home runs in one game his performance merits awe"
process or manner of functioning or operating
"the power of its engine determines its operation"
"the plane's operation in high winds"
"they compared the cooking performance of each oven"
"the jet's performance conformed to high standards"
The act of performing; carrying into execution or action; execution; achievement; accomplishment; representation by action.
"The orchestra's performance was flawless, capturing every nuance of the conductor's intricate gestures."
In plain English: Performance is how well someone does a job or task.
"The student's performance on the final exam was excellent."
Usage: Use "performance" to describe how well someone completes a task or fulfills a duty, such as an employee's work output or a machine's operation. It refers specifically to the quality of execution rather than the act of performing itself.
The word performance entered English from Middle French via Old French parfurmance, originally meaning the act of carrying out a task or duty. It was later adopted into modern usage with its current sense, particularly in reference to artistic displays and evaluations.