overcapacity

noun

over·​ca·​pac·​i·​ty ˌō-vər-kə-ˈpa-sə-tē How to pronounce overcapacity (audio)
-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
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.
The industry is already facing significant pressure from unsustainable levels of global overcapacity, the bloc said. Tasmin Lockwood,holly Ellyatt,chloe Taylor, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025 New data showed manufacturing contracted this month, but less than expected, a hopeful indication that authorities may be coming to grips with industrial overcapacity. Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025 The result was catastrophic overcapacity. Dave Smith, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2025 China’s subsidies, which are far larger than those of other countries, have created overcapacity in automobiles, solar panels, and semiconductors. Sadek Wahba, Foreign Affairs, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for overcapacity

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overcapacity was in 1877

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Cite this Entry

“Overcapacity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overcapacity. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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