excess capacitynoun [ U ]
ukusECONOMICS, COMMERCE the ability to hold or deal with a larger number of people or things than is needed at the present time:
The airline has shifted some of its excess capacity from Asian to North Atlantic routes.
PRODUCTION the ability to produce more of something than is needed at the present time:
The company has just opened a new factory and hopes to fill all its excess capacity with a new marketing push.