surplus value

American

noun

(in Marxian economics) the part of the value of a commodity that exceeds the cost of labor, regarded as the profit of the capitalist.

Etymology

Origin of surplus value

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

There was just one problem with Minnesota’s plan: the potential surplus value offered by McCarthy’s contract has been rendered obsolete by the fact he has been completely terrible.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 1, 2025

With the rookie wage scale slotting salaries by pick regardless of position, it is more difficult for teams to generate surplus value by taking a tight end.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 19, 2024

Marx proposed the concept of surplus value as a contradictory force within capitalism.

From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022

The amateur draft and the international market have incredible surplus value.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 3, 2022

But according to Marx, that is, in pure theory, the production price is equal to the cost price, plus surplus value.

From The life and teaching of Karl Marx by Beer, M.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023