performance

The word “performance” means a live show, such as music, theatre, or dance, presented to an audience. In plain terms, either a live artistic show, or a measure of how well something or someone does.

“Performance” is pronounced puh-FAW-muhns ([pɚˈfoɹ.məns] in IPA).

Here is “performance” used in a sentence: “The band gave an unforgettable performance at the festival.”

“Performance” is a noun.

The word “performance” comes from Middle English. From Middle English parfourmaunce, formed from "perform" plus the suffix "-ance".

“Performance” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

“Performance” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a live show, such as music, theatre, or dance, presented to an audience.

A performance is the live show presented to an audience — the real, finished event. A rehearsal is the private practice beforehand, where performers prepare, refine, and correct mistakes without spectators. The rehearsal builds toward the performance; the performance is the moment everything is delivered for real, in front of people.

Performances span many art forms. Musical performances include concerts, recitals, and gigs; theatrical ones include plays and musicals; and there are dance performances, opera, comedy sets, and circus acts. A performance can be solo or involve a large cast, and may be staged live or streamed to a remote audience.

A band playing a live concert is a performance, as is a theatre company staging a play or a ballet troupe dancing on stage. Even a single musician giving a piano recital counts. The common thread is a live act presented to an audience, whether large or small.