Academic or overall excellence; superiority—used when someone or something is judged to be above others in performance (as in 'honors').
彼は期末試験で優等の成績を取った。
He achieved honors-level grades on the final exam.
優等はクラスで数名だけに与えられる称号だ。
The honor of '優等' is given to only a few students in the class.
彼女は勉強が優等で、奨学金を受けた。
Her academic excellence earned her a scholarship.