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 see also in excess of
: 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
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
Foamy or Frothy Urine Proteinuria, an excess of protein in the urine, is the second most common symptom of IgA nephropathy after blood in the urine.
—Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 12 Jan. 2026
Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2026
But the Fed says that's driven by inflation and unexpected developments like excess lead and asbestos, not extravagant new features.
—Scott Horsley, NPR, 13 Jan. 2026
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
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Noun
Bureaucratic excesses and multi-purpose policies cannot burden it, as was the case with the CHIPS Act and the Inflation Reduction Act.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
Foamy or Frothy Urine Proteinuria, an excess of protein in the urine, is the second most common symptom of IgA nephropathy after blood in the urine.
—Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
From high-fashion runways to interior decor showrooms, the minimalism trend touched every corner of the design world, with creatives finding new ways to cut off the excess and focus on shape, quality, and bare-bones beauty.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2026
But the Fed says that's driven by inflation and unexpected developments like excess lead and asbestos, not extravagant new features.
—Scott Horsley, NPR, 13 Jan. 2026
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 15 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
excess
2 of 2 adjective
: more than what is usual, acceptable, or needed
excess baggage
an outlet for their excess energy
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