What is excelsior meaning?

Excelsior is a Latin word that means "ever upward" or "higher" and is often used to refer to the concept of striving for excellence or reaching for the stars. It is also the state motto of New York and a brand name for various companies and products, including a type of wood shaving used for packing material. In literature, it has been used as a symbol of hope and ambition, appearing in the works of writers such as Longfellow and Poe.