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

That’s quite a contrast to the floor we were left to ponder after clunky road losses at Central Florida and West Virginia in a week’s span were sandwiched around a somewhat miraculous rally to beat TCU (3-5 in Big 12 play) in overtime at home. —Kansas City Star, 31 Jan. 2026

Bell did his part Friday night by scoring nine points, grabbing a game-high nine rebounds and blocking four shots as host West Aurora held off visiting Ridgewood 59-57 in overtime in an Upstate Eight Conference crossover. —Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026

Bisignano maintained application and appeals processing during the government shutdown and offered overtime to work the days around Christmas, which are federal holidays; 66% of staff showed up. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026

The overtime winner against Canton? —Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 31 Jan. 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