triple

1 of 3

verb

tri·​ple ˈtri-pəl 

tripled; tripling ˈtri-p(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to make three times as great or as many

2

a

: to score (a base runner) by a triple

b

: to bring about the scoring of (a run) by a triple

intransitive verb

1

: to become three times as great or as numerous

their profits tripled last year

2

: to make a triple in baseball

triple

2 of 3

noun

1

a

: a triple sum, quantity, or number

b

: a combination, group, or series of three

2

: a base hit that allows the batter to reach third base safely

3

: trifecta sense 2

triple

3 of 3

adjective

1

: being three times as great or as many

2

: having or involving three units or members

triple bypass heart surgery

3

: having a threefold relation or character

worked as a double or even triple agent

—Time

4

a

: three times repeated : treble

b

: having three full revolutions

a triple somersault

a triple lutz

5

: marked by three beats per musical measure

triple meter

6

a

: having units of three components

triple feet

b

of rhyme : involving correspondence of three syllables (as in unfortunate-importunate)

Synonyms

Noun

• threesome
• triad
• trifecta
• trinity
• trio
• triplet
• triumvirate

Adjective

• threefold
• treble
• triadic
• tripartite
• triplex

Examples of triple in a Sentence

Verb

He tripled his winnings at the track.

The town's population has tripled in size.

He tripled to right field.

Noun

that triple of terrors for the wintertime driver: snow, ice, and sleet

Adjective

She got a new job with triple the salary of her old one.

He ordered a triple espresso.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The authors also found that the share of employment classified as pass-throughs has more than tripled since the 1980s. —Tobias Burns, The Hill, 23 Dec. 2024

Delays had tripled since 5 a.m. ET and cancellations had nearly doubled, the tracker showed. —Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 22 Dec. 2024

Noun

This frees Herro up for the triple as Jalen Duren is in drop coverage in an effort to cover Adebayo and Herro at once. —Mikai Bruce, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024

Brown made his first three triples for the second time in three games. —Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 30 Nov. 2024

Adjective

The triple compartments give you enough space to organize your essentials while still looking elegant and balanced on your shoulder. —Wendy Vazquez, Southern Living, 27 Dec. 2024

The triple calendar moonphase remains an elusive combination from Rolex, and this configuration, known as the ‘Padellone’ or ‘large frying pan’ for its relatively large footprint (especially for the era) and its unique beauty, remains captivating to this day. —Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 26 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English (Scots), from Late Latin triplare, from Latin triplus, adjective

Noun

Middle English, from Latin triplus, adjective

Adjective

Middle English, from Latin triplus, from tri- + -plus multiplied by — more at -fold

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing triple

• triple-A
• triple-A battery
• triple bogey
• triple bond
• triple counterpoint
• triple-decker
• triple-double
• triple E
• triple-header
• triple jump
• triple play
• triple point
• triple sec
• triple-space
• triple-team
• triple threat
• triple-tongue

Kids Definition

triple

1 of 3 verb

tri·​ple ˈtrip-əl 

tripled; tripling ˈtrip-(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to make or become three times as great or as many : multiply by three

their profits tripled last year

2

: to make a triple in baseball

triple

2 of 3 noun

1

a

: a triple sum, quantity, or number

b

: a combination, group, or series of three

2

: a hit in baseball that permits a batter to reach third base safely

triple

3 of 3 adjective

1

: being three times as great or as many

2

: having three units or parts

3

a

: three times repeated

b

: having three full revolutions

a triple somersault