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Definition of surplus noun from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

     

    surplus

     noun
    noun
    NAmE//ˈsərplʌs//
     
    [countable, uncountable]
     
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  1. 1an amount that is extra or more than you need food surpluses Wheat was in surplus that year.
  2. 2the 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). Topic CollocationsInternational Relationstrade
    • facilitate/regulate trade (with other countries)
    • form/join a trading bloc
    • live in/compete in a global/the world economy
    • support/promote free trade
    • adopt/call for/oppose protectionist measures
    • erect/impose/reduce/remove trade barriers
    • impose/lift/raise/eliminate import tariffs (on something)
    • have/run a huge/large/growing trade surplus/deficit
    • embrace/resist/drive globalization
    politics and law
    • handle/talk about/discuss foreign policy
    • pursue an aggressive/a hawkish foreign policy
    • require/use/conduct diplomacy
    • establish/break off/sever/restore diplomatic relations/ties
    • foster/promote/strengthen regional cooperation
    • facilitate/achieve economic/political integration
    • exercise/defend/protect/transfer/restore/regain national/state/full/limited sovereignty
    • consolidate/extend/lose/retain your power (in the region)
    • hold/maintain/change/alter/shift the balance of power (in the region)
    • cause/create/open/expose/heal/repair a deep/growing/major/serious rift between X and Y
    meetings and agreements
    • have/hold/host/attend an international conference/an economic forum/a G20 summit
    • lead/launch a new round of global/multilateral/world trade negotiations
    • send/head/lead/meet a high-level/an official/a trade delegation
    • facilitate/begin/start/continue/resume peace talks
    • be committed to/be opposed to/disrupt/undermine/derail/sabotage the peace process
    • negotiate/achieve a lasting political settlement
    • broker/sign a peace deal/agreement/treaty
    conflict
    • be/constitute/pose a threat to global security
    • compromise/endanger/protect national security
    • justify/be in favor of/support/be against/oppose military intervention
    • threaten/authorize/launch/take/support/oppose unilateral/preemptive military action
    • impose/enforce/lift/end economic sanctions/an arms embargo/a naval blockade
    • close/protect/secure/patrol the border
    • lead/be involved in a peacekeeping operation
    aid
    • negotiate/announce a $15 billion aid package/an economic stimulus package
    • send/provide/request/cut off military aid
    • bring/provide emergency/humanitarian relief
    • deliver/distribute medical supplies/food supplies
    • fund/run a foreign/a local/an international NGO
    • reduce/eradicate/combat/fight child/global/world poverty
    compare deficit
See surplus in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary