/ ˈsɜːpləs; NAmE ˈsɜːrp-/ noun , adjective
■ noun [ C , U ]
1.
an amount that is extra or more than you need :
food surpluses
Wheat was in surplus that year.
2.
the amount by which the amount of money received is greater than the amount of money spent :
a trade surplus of £400 million
The balance of payments was in surplus last year (= the value of exports was greater than the value of imports) .
—compare deficit
■ adjective
surplus (to sth) more than is needed or used :
surplus cash
Surplus grain is being sold for export.
These items are surplus to requirements (= not needed) .
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French sourplus , from medieval Latin superplus , from super- in addition + plus more.