1
a
: the state or an instance of surpassing usual, proper, or specified limits : superfluity
b
: the amount or degree by which one thing or quantity exceeds another
an excess of 10 bushels
2
: undue or immoderate indulgence : intemperance
also
: an act or instance of intemperance
prevent excesses and abuses by newly created local powers —
Albert Shanker
Albert Shanker
: more than the usual, proper, or specified amount
excessed; excessing; excesses
: to eliminate the position of
excessed several teachers because of budget cutbacks
Examples of excess in a Sentence
Noun
They were equipped with an excess of provisions.
The tests found an excess of sodium in his blood.
He lived a life of excess.
The movie embraces all the worst excesses of popular American culture.
the violent excesses of the military regime
He apologized for his past excesses.
Adjective
Basketball provided an outlet for their excess energy.
She is trying to eliminate excess fat and calories from her diet.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 23 May 2025
Workers have to remove large seven-point leaves, weigh them and account for each piece of plant material before the excess gets thrown away.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 22 May 2025
Michelle Stansbury, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
On Friday, Joel canceled all the concerts on his schedule after revealing a diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a brain disorder where excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain’s ventricles.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 25 May 2025
Amy Dickinson, Anchorage Daily News, 17 July 2023
Over the past few months, my wife has begun drinking to excess every evening.
—Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 17 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for excess
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
That's right—even the sprayer in your at-home spa needs to be cleaned from time to time to remove an excess of buildup that can change the way your soothing shower feels.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 23 May 2025
Workers have to remove large seven-point leaves, weigh them and account for each piece of plant material before the excess gets thrown away.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 22 May 2025
Adjective
Most are in agreement that the excess stimulation and instant gratification offered by digital devices can be overwhelming for young, developing brains.
—Michelle Stansbury, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
On Friday, Joel canceled all the concerts on his schedule after revealing a diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a brain disorder where excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain’s ventricles.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 25 May 2025
Verb
Over the past few months my wife has begun drinking to excess every evening.
—Amy Dickinson, Anchorage Daily News, 17 July 2023
Over the past few months, my wife has begun drinking to excess every evening.
—Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 17 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for excess
Cite this Entry
“Excess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excess. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
excess
2 of 2 adjective
: more than what is usual, acceptable, or needed
excess baggage
an outlet for their excess energy
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share