exceed

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verb ex·ceed \ik-ˈsēd\

Definition of exceed

transitive verb
1 : to extend outside of the river will exceed its banks
2 : to be greater than or superior to
3 : to go beyond a limit set by exceeded his authority
intransitive verb
1 obsolete : overdo
2 : predominate

See exceed defined for English-language learners

See exceed defined for kids

Examples of exceed in a Sentence

The cost must not exceed 10 dollars.
The cost exceeded our estimate.
The demand for new housing has already exceeded the supply.
He's trying to match or exceed last year's sales.

Recent Examples of exceed from the Web

Proceeds will be divided among the Rancho Bernardo Community Endowment, which exceeds $1.4 million, and the foundation’s annual community grants program.

— elizabeth marie himchak, Rancho Bernardo, "Honor someone with a Pathway of Pride plaque," 19 July 2017
But Zeigler said he was required to file a campaign finance report with the secretary of state because unsolicited donations exceeded $1,000.

— AL.com, "Who is raising the most money to become Alabama's next governor?," 7 July 2017
Most mines are mature (Driefontein is 65 years old), and the cost of extracting the gold may soon exceed its value.

— The Economist, "South African mining is in crisis," 4 July 2017
The point guard position is the weakest, unless Fultz exceeds expectations in Year One.

— adi joseph, USA TODAY, "76ers are ready to be a 2018 NBA playoff team," 1 July 2017
The fund, started June 23, exceeded its $10,000 goal in the first week, and now continues to grow.

— brittney mcnamara, Teen Vogue, "Fundraiser Started to Help Daughter of Philando Castile's Girlfriend," 29 June 2017
Worldwide it is expected to exceed $100 billion by 2018.

— yishai schwartz, Town & Country, "For Parents Willing to Pay Thousands, College Counselors Promise to Make Ivy League Dreams a Reality," 28 June 2017
Students living in Sumter County will be given first priority to enroll in the new charter school, Wedgworth said, and if enrollment exceeds capacity, a random lottery will be held.

— jonece starr dunigan, AL.com, "Mobile police investigating homicide on Dubose Street," 27 June 2017
However, the hotel does meet or exceed the minimum requirements for rooms (200), conference space (10,000 square feet) and swimming pool (1,000 square feet) and exercise room.

— robert cadwallader, star-telegram.com, "Nine-story hotel proposed for Arlington’s entertainment district," 26 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'exceed.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of exceed

Middle English exceden, from Middle French exceder, from Latin excedere, from ex- + cedere to go

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First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of exceed

exceed, surpass, transcend, excel, outdo, outstrip mean to go or be beyond a stated or implied limit, measure, or degree. exceed implies going beyond a limit set by authority or established by custom or by prior achievement. exceed the speed limit surpass suggests superiority in quality, merit, or skill. the book surpassed our expectations transcend implies a rising or extending notably above or beyond ordinary limits. transcended the values of their culture excel implies preeminence in achievement or quality and may suggest superiority to all others. excels in mathematics outdo applies to a bettering or exceeding what has been done before. outdid herself this time outstrip suggests surpassing in a race or competition. outstripped other firms in sales

EXCEED Defined for English Language Learners

exceed

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verb

Definition of exceed for English Language Learners

: to be greater or more than (something) : to be better than (something)
: to go beyond the limit of (something)

EXCEED Defined for Kids

exceed

play

verb ex·ceed \ik-ˈsēd\

Definition of exceed for Students

exceeded

;

exceeding

1 : to be greater than The cost must not exceed 100 dollars.
2 : to go or be beyond the limit of Don't exceed the speed limit.

Word Root of exceed

The Latin word cedere, meaning “to go,” gives us the root ced. Words from the Latin cedere have something to do with going. To precede is to go before. To exceed is to go beyond a limit. To proceed is to go forward. To recede is to go back or away.