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performance (n.)

late 15c., "accomplishment, completion" (of something), from perform + -ance. Meaning "that which is accomplished, a thing performed" is from 1590s; that of "action of performing a play, etc." is from 1610s; that of "a public entertainment" is from 1709. The earlier noun in Middle English was performing (late 14c.) "state of completion, accomplishment of an act." Performance art is attested from 1971.

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Definitions of performance from WordNet

performance (n.)
a dramatic or musical entertainment;
the play ran for 100 performances
the frequent performances of the symphony testify to its popularity
they listened to ten different performances
Synonyms: public presentation
performance (n.)
the act of presenting a play or a piece of music or other entertainment;
we congratulated him on his performance at the rehearsal
an inspired performance of Mozart's C minor concerto
performance (n.)
the act of performing; of doing something successfully; using knowledge as distinguished from merely possessing it;
they criticised his performance as mayor
experience generally improves performance
Synonyms: execution / carrying out / carrying into action
performance (n.)
any recognized accomplishment;
when Roger Maris powered four home runs in one game his performance merits awe
they admired his performance under stress
performance (n.)
process or manner of functioning or operating;
the jet's performance conformed to high standards
they compared the cooking performance of each oven
Synonyms: operation / functioning
From wordnet.princeton.edu