excess

1 of 3

noun

ex·​cess ik-ˈses How to pronounce excess (audio) ˈek-ˌses How to pronounce excess (audio)
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

excess

2 of 3

adjective

: more than the usual, proper, or specified amount

excess

3 of 3

verb

excessed; excessing; excesses

transitive verb

: to eliminate the position of
excessed several teachers because of budget cutbacks
Phrases
in excess of
: to an amount or degree beyond : over

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
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

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Late Latin; Anglo-French exces, from Late Latin excessus, from Latin, departure, projection, from excedere to exceed

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1971, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of excess was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Excess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excess. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

excess

1 of 2 noun
ex·​cess ik-ˈses How to pronounce excess (audio) ˈek-ˌses How to pronounce excess (audio)
1
: a state of being more than enough
2
a
: an amount beyond what is usual, needed, or asked
b
: the amount by which one thing or quantity exceeds another

excess

2 of 2 adjective
: more than what is usual, acceptable, or needed
excess baggage
an outlet for their excess energy

Legal Definition

excess

adjective
ex·​cess
: more than a usual or specified amount
specifically : additional to an amount specified under another insurance policy
excess coverage
excess insurance

More from Merriam-Webster on excess

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