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

Herbert then led the Chargers to a 22-19 overtime victory over the Philadelphia Eagles one week after surgery to insert a plate and some screws into his hand. —Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 1 Jan. 2026

Including their 25-22 overtime win over the 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII, the Chiefs won by one-score margins in five of their last six games in the 2023 season before winning a dozen times that way last year. —Kansas City Star, 1 Jan. 2026

Dukes’ forward Alex Williams hit a three-pointer with 13 seconds left in regulation to force overtime at 66-66. —Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 31 Dec. 2025

Makar missed the preliminary round game against the United States with an illness, but Canada won its other three contests, including an overtime win against the Americans in the final. —Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 31 Dec. 2025

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