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

Jamal Murray fouled out with only five points early in overtime, bringing an early end to his worst game of the season. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2026

Luka Dončić capped one of the best games of the season with his first game winner as a Los Angeles Laker, leading his team to a 127-125 overtime victory against Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets. —Dan Woike, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2026

Harvard beat Columbia 67-65 in overtime to reach the title game. —ABC News, 15 Mar. 2026

Canton looks to avenge last year’s double-overtime heartbreaker in the state final to Billerica. —Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 14 Mar. 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