performance

per|form|ance [ pə`fɔrməns ] noun ***

1. ) count the act of performing a play, dance, or other form of entertainment:

performance of: The first performance of the opera was in 1936.

give a performance: The school drama society will give a performance of Hamlet.

a ) the way a person or group of people performs a piece of music or other entertainment:

She gave the greatest performance of her career.

The quality of the performances was poor.

2. ) count or uncount FORMAL the process of doing a job or action:

performance of: a charge of hindering the police in the performance of their duty

3. ) singular SPOKEN something that is difficult or complicated to do:

Getting everything into the car was quite a performance.

4. ) uncount the speed and effectiveness of a machine or vehicle:

an exciting car with outstanding performance

a ) count or uncount the standard to which someone does something such as job or examination:

Teachers have to measure students' performance against specific objectives.

The report said the performance of the museum staff was outstanding.

b ) count or uncount the degree of success of an INVESTMENT in making money for you:

Before deciding on a pension, consider its past performance.