overcapacity

noun

over·​ca·​pac·​i·​ty ˌō-vər-kə-ˈpa-sə-tē 

-ˈpa-stē

: excessive capacity for production or services in relation to demand

Examples of overcapacity in a Sentence

The airlines are lowering their prices because of an overcapacity of seats.

Recent Examples on the Web

China’s industrial overcapacity has lowered the costs of building and operating illicit enterprises. — Alvin Camba, Foreign Affairs, 21 Aug. 2026

What was once the largest potential growth market for automakers a decade ago has now turned into a massive restructuring, largely driven by the rise of domestic Chinese car companies and overcapacity creating a price war. — Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026

Dundalk High is also overcapacity, by 129%, meaning more than 400 extra students. — Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026

In theory, that kind of overcapacity should lead factories to close and the surge to subside. — Evan Osnos, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for overcapacity

• audacity
• capacity
• fugacity
• loquacity
• mendacity
• opacity
• rapacity
• sagacity
• tenacity
• veracity
• vivacity
• voracity