more than is necessary, reasonable or acceptable

an amount by which something is larger than something else

We cover costs up to £600 and then you pay the excess.

the part of an insurance claim that a person has to pay while the insurance company pays the rest

There is an excess of £100 on each claim under this policy.

Increasing the excess on home insurance from the standard £50 to £100 is likely to save 15%.

the fact of doing too much of something, especially eating or drinking

He gave in to bouts of alcoholic excess.

extreme behaviour that is unacceptable, illegal or morally wrong 

We need a free press to curb government excesses.

legislation to control the worst excesses of the press and the courts in relation to rape cases

in addition to an amount that is necessary, usual or legal

The full excess fare had to be paid.

LEARNit Dictionary