fourfold

adjective

1
: being four times as great or as many
2
: having four units or members
fourfold adverb

Examples of fourfold in a Sentence

There has been a fourfold increase in membership this year.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent executive orders from President Trump aim for a fourfold increase in nuclear capacity from 100 GW to 400 GW by 2050. Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025 The ability to meet their medical needs—including prescriptions, refills, and doctors' visits—increased fourfold. Nuri Kino, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025 Clem believes the solution is fourfold: Secure the border by expanding walls, forts and technology. Therese Boudreaux | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 19 June 2024 One recent climate model has shown Canada gaining 1.6 million square miles of arable land suitable for crops such as wheat, corn, and potatoes by 2080—a fourfold increase of the area currently available for cultivation. Michael Albertus, Foreign Affairs, 4 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fourfold

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English fēowerfeald, from fēower + -feald -fold

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fourfold was before the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Fourfold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fourfold. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

fourfold

adjective
four·​fold -ˌfōld How to pronounce fourfold (audio)
-ˈfōld
: being four times as great or as many

More from Merriam-Webster on fourfold

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