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

The Resurrection Christian wrestling star was ahead in triple overtime in the Class 3A 215-pound match as a sophomore, only to give up a takedown in the final seconds to lose. —Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 22 Feb. 2026

Dent then missed a three-pointer with one second left, sending the game to overtime. —Sean Campbell, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026

The game is a rematch of last year’s riveting 4 Nations Face-Off final between the neighboring countries, which Canada won 3-2 on Connor McDavid’s overtime goal. —Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2026

With the weight of the entire nation on her shoulders in the middle of overtime in the Winter Olympics gold medal matchup against Canada, American Taylor Heise passed the puck up to Megan Keller and then made a beeline for the bench. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 21 Feb. 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