Efficiency

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Efficiency is the capability of acting or producing effectively with a minimum of waste, expense, or unnecessary effort. The term has widely variant meanings in different disciplines. See

Algorithmic efficiency for its use in computer science.
- efficiency is also a computer science term used when discussing parallel computing and speedup.
Economic efficiency for its use in economics.
Textual efficiency for its use in linguistics.
Efficiency (statistics) for its use in statistics.
Electrical efficiency for its use in electronics and electrical engineering.
Fuel efficiency for its use in automobiles (also known as "gas milage").
Mechanical efficiency for its use in engineering.
In rocket propulsion, specific impulse is a measure for mass-efficiency, though a very high specific impulse is not energy-efficient
Thermodynamic or "engine" efficiency for its use in Thermodynamics, Statistical Physics, related fields, and engines and motors.
Volumetric efficiency for its use in engine design

In several of these cases efficiency can be expressed as a result as percentage of what ideally could be expected, hence with 100% as ideal case. This does not always apply, not even in all cases where efficiency can be assigned a numerical value, e.g. not for specific impulse.