sur·plus
ˈsər-(ˌ)pləs 
1
a
: the amount that remains when use or need is satisfied
b
: an excess of receipts over disbursements
2
: the excess of a corporation's net worth over the par or stated value of its stock
: more than the amount that is needed : constituting a surplus
surplus food/clothing/equipment
When the sea captains returned, they would sell their surplus wares on the wharves.—
Carol Vogel
Carol VogelLong before the comparable worth battles of today, the economic value of women's work was evident to farm women who set prices for the surplus butter, candles, soap, honey, preserves, chickens, and eggs they raised or manufactured.—Mary Kay Blakely
Mary Kay Blakely
Synonyms
Example Sentences
Noun
If there is any surplus, it will be divided equally.
There is a surplus of workers and not enough jobs.
Recent Examples on the WebZizi Strater, Peoplemag, 17 May 2023
Officials noted that the department is nonetheless considered fully staffed — the available jobs are surplus spots — and a few applicants are in the pipeline.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 2023
The center is deeply committed to sustainability — it was built with recyclable materials, its heating system relies on natural wood chips, and the kitchen and swimming pool are powered by solar energy, while any surplus power is delivered to the local community.
—Maria Eilersen, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2023
This week’s moderate increase is largely attributable to a weekly EIA storage report that came in below average for a second consecutive week, which further trimmed a storage surplus to 18% above average versus a 20% overhang last week.
—wsj.com, 12 May 2023
His name quickly became associated with surplus sales and lackluster collections.
—Tara Gonzalez, Harper's BAZAAR, 11 May 2023
With less office demand following the pandemic, building owners are looking at ways to repurpose surplus spaces.
—Steve Brown, Dallas News, 10 May 2023
Meanwhile, all that rain and snow means California can provide 100% of the water requested by cities and farms for the first time in years, and is flooding farmland with surplus runoff to replenish precious groundwater.
—Brittany Peterson, Fortune, 9 May 2023
Production meets expected demand, with little incentive to creates surplus.
—Nishant Pandya, STAT, 8 May 2023
Vanessa Franko, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2023
Director LaJuan Counts told council members that the city’s blight remediation fund to address emergency demolitions would be backed by surplus dollars from the previous year.
—Detroit Free Press, 30 Mar. 2023
The surplus water inevitably moves toward the low point, the old Tulare Lake.
—Kurtis Alexander, San Francisco Chronicle, 25 Mar. 2023
Officials also said the city two years ago ended its participation in a federal program that allows distribution of surplus military equipment to state and local law enforcement agencies.
—Ron Todt, Fortune, 20 Mar. 2023
Other evidence suggests that surplus sugar intake increases the risk of depression.
—Health, 14 Feb. 2023
Join those who have already taken advantage of this risk-free investment; there is no need for trying out cheaper alternatives that may not deliver as expected or endure any health issues resulting from surplus fat.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 6 Feb. 2023
Good’s office sells about 200,000 chicks a week and is continually sold out, even when projections had included surplus stock on the off chance there was a boom in demand.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 17 Mar. 2023
Officials devised a system: Ranchers gather surplus hay and drop it at Rohnerville Airport, near Fortuna, where personnel from the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services and Sheriff’s Office help load it into helicopters.
—Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2023
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Noun
Atelier Jolie will only use leftover garments, quality vintage material and deadstock (a.k.a. surplus) fabrics.
—Zizi Strater, Peoplemag, 17 May 2023
Officials noted that the department is nonetheless considered fully staffed — the available jobs are surplus spots — and a few applicants are in the pipeline.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 2023
The center is deeply committed to sustainability — it was built with recyclable materials, its heating system relies on natural wood chips, and the kitchen and swimming pool are powered by solar energy, while any surplus power is delivered to the local community.
—Maria Eilersen, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2023
This week’s moderate increase is largely attributable to a weekly EIA storage report that came in below average for a second consecutive week, which further trimmed a storage surplus to 18% above average versus a 20% overhang last week.
—wsj.com, 12 May 2023
His name quickly became associated with surplus sales and lackluster collections.
—Tara Gonzalez, Harper's BAZAAR, 11 May 2023
With less office demand following the pandemic, building owners are looking at ways to repurpose surplus spaces.
—Steve Brown, Dallas News, 10 May 2023
Meanwhile, all that rain and snow means California can provide 100% of the water requested by cities and farms for the first time in years, and is flooding farmland with surplus runoff to replenish precious groundwater.
—Brittany Peterson, Fortune, 9 May 2023
Production meets expected demand, with little incentive to creates surplus.
—Nishant Pandya, STAT, 8 May 2023
Adjective
The blocky pyramid-esque Ziggurat building in Laguna Niguel (legal name Chet Holifield Federal Building) was put up for auction last month after the federal government identified it as a surplus property.
—Vanessa Franko, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2023
Director LaJuan Counts told council members that the city’s blight remediation fund to address emergency demolitions would be backed by surplus dollars from the previous year.
—Detroit Free Press, 30 Mar. 2023
The surplus water inevitably moves toward the low point, the old Tulare Lake.
—Kurtis Alexander, San Francisco Chronicle, 25 Mar. 2023
Officials also said the city two years ago ended its participation in a federal program that allows distribution of surplus military equipment to state and local law enforcement agencies.
—Ron Todt, Fortune, 20 Mar. 2023
Other evidence suggests that surplus sugar intake increases the risk of depression.
—Health, 14 Feb. 2023
Join those who have already taken advantage of this risk-free investment; there is no need for trying out cheaper alternatives that may not deliver as expected or endure any health issues resulting from surplus fat.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 6 Feb. 2023
Good’s office sells about 200,000 chicks a week and is continually sold out, even when projections had included surplus stock on the off chance there was a boom in demand.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 17 Mar. 2023
Officials devised a system: Ranchers gather surplus hay and drop it at Rohnerville Airport, near Fortuna, where personnel from the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services and Sheriff’s Office help load it into helicopters.
—Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'surplus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin superplus, from Latin super- + plus more — more at plus
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Adjective
1589, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of surplus was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing surplus
Dictionary Entries Near surplus
Cite this Entry
“Surplus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surplus. Accessed 3 Jun. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
surplus
noun
sur·plus
ˈsər-(ˌ)pləs
1
: the amount more than what is required or necessary : excess
2
: an excess of income over spending
surplus
adjective
Legal Definition
surplus
noun
sur·plus
ˈsər-ˌpləs
1
a
: an amount that remains when a use or need is satisfied
b
: an excess of receipts over disbursements
c
: the value of assets after subtracting liabilities
2
: an excess of the net worth of a corporation over the par value of its capital stock compare undivided profits
—
capital surplus
: all surplus other than earned surplus
—
earned surplus
: the surplus that remains after deducting losses, distributions to stockholders, and transfers to capital stock accounts
—
paid-in surplus
: surplus resulting from the sale of stock at amounts above par
More from Merriam-Webster on surplus
Nglish: Translation of surplus for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of surplus for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about surplus
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