To exceed means to go beyond a limit, expectation, or amount. When you exceed the speed limit, you're driving faster than the law allows. When a book exceeds 500 pages, it has more than 500 pages. When your team exceeds its fundraising goal, you've raised more money than you originally aimed for.

The word often appears in positive contexts. A student who exceeds expectations performs better than anyone thought possible. An athlete who exceeds her personal best has achieved something greater than ever before. When someone's kindness exceeds what you expected, they've been more generous than you imagined.

Exceed can also describe going past a limit in a neutral or negative way. A bridge might have a sign warning that vehicles exceeding 10 tons can't cross safely. A computer program might crash if the data exceeds its memory capacity.

When you exceed something, you've crossed a boundary or surpassed a measure. Think of it as pushing past the edge of what was set as the standard or limit.