worldclass

World-class is a descriptive term used in English to denote a person, organization, or thing that is regarded as among the highest quality or performance on a global scale. It is commonly applied across fields such as sports, academia, business, and the arts, with examples including a world-class athlete, a world-class university, or world-class facilities.

The term is a compound of world and class, signaling a standard that transcends national boundaries. It gained widespread usage in the 20th century, particularly in marketing and media, and it remains common in contemporary discourse. In usage, it is usually hyphenated when placed before a noun (world-class athlete) but can appear as two words or in predicative position (The team is world class).

Because there is no universal, objective benchmark for "world-class," the label often rests on rankings, awards, reputational signals, or consumer perception. Critics argue that the term can be vague, inflated, or deployed as marketing jargon, and that it may obscure meaningful differences between standards across sectors.

Despite limitations, the concept serves as a shorthand for superior performance and international recognition. It is distinct from terms such as "excellent" or "leading" by emphasizing a global standard.