Performance means how well someone or something does at a task. When your teacher evaluates your performance in math class, she's looking at how well you solve problems, complete homework, and understand concepts. When a car company tests a vehicle's performance, they measure how fast it accelerates, how smoothly it handles turns, and how reliable it is over time.

The word also describes the act of presenting something to an audience. A performance of a play happens when actors bring a script to life on stage. Musicians give performances at concerts, dancers perform at recitals, and magicians perform tricks at birthday parties. These performances require practice and skill.

You can also perform a task or duty, like when you perform your responsibilities as class monitor. The word suggests completing something that requires effort, skill, or concentration. A high-performance athlete trains intensively to compete at the highest levels of their sport.