overtime

noun

over·​time ˈō-vər-ˌtīm 

1

: time in excess of a set limit: such as

a

: working time in excess of a standard day or week

b

: an extra period of play in a contest

2

: the wage paid for overtime

overtime adverb

Examples of overtime in a Sentence

I worked two hours of overtime last week.

He was doing a lot of overtime to save for his vacation.

How much did you earn last month in overtime?

The game went into overtime.

They lost the game in overtime.

Recent Examples on the Web

Last season, 72 contests ended with a game-winning score in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime, which is the second-most in NFL history. — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

The Mizzou grad — a guard for the Indiana Fever — helped her team defeat the Atlanta Dream 95-91 in overtime. — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2026

Oviedo lost two close games, then squeaked out its overtime win against Lake Brantley last week. — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026

Brentwood missed a chance to end it in the second overtime but had an extra point blocked. — Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1791, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing overtime

• overtime pay
• work overtime

Rhymes for overtime

• aforetime
• allozyme
• anytime
• christmastime
• cybercrime
• dinnertime
• guggenheim
• isozyme
• lysozyme
• maritime
• mesenchyme
• pantomime

Kids Definition

overtime

noun

over·​time ˈō-vər-ˌtīm 

1

: time beyond a set limit

especially : working time beyond a standard day or week

2

: the wage paid for overtime

overtime adverb or adjective