threefold

adjective

three·​fold ˈthrē-ˌfōld How to pronounce threefold (audio)
-ˈfōld
1
: having three parts or members : triple
a threefold purpose
2
: being three times as great or as many
a threefold increase
threefold adverb

Examples of threefold in a Sentence

a threefold approach to solving the problem
Recent Examples on the Web These hat tiles have a local center of threefold rotation. Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 27 Apr. 2023 People in fair or poor health were almost threefold more likely to do so than those in excellent or very good health. Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 2 June 2023 Having sleep apnea — a condition in which people stop breathing multiple times per hour — was associated with a threefold increase in stroke risk, the statement said. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 5 Apr. 2023 There has been a threefold increase in the intensity of rainstorms across the Sahel, including in Chad, since 1982, British researchers say, and the pattern of rainfall has become less predictable. Rachel Chason, Washington Post, 1 July 2023 Vision scientists Guy Wallis and David Lloyd of the University of Queensland in Australia noticed that some ambiguous figures could be seen three ways, as demonstrated in their uncanny threefold cubes illusion. Stephen L. MacKnik, Scientific American, 1 May 2014 The plan to bring in light and maximize the views was threefold: replace the stingy windows; maintain the separate living, dining, and family room areas after taking down walls while keeping the space airy and open; and employ materials including gold leaf and onyx. Wendy Goodman, Curbed, 15 Nov. 2021 The company's plans are threefold: use variant-specific booster shots, but at a lower dose than the original vaccine; combine the original vaccine with a variant-specific vaccine to create a single, 50-microgram-or-lower shot; and test a third shot of the original vaccine at a lower dosage. Claire Gillespie, Health.com, 25 Feb. 2021 Since 2002, the average acreage burned by wildfires in these three states has increased nearly threefold. Oliver Whang, National Geographic, 29 Sep. 2020 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'threefold.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

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

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

Dictionary Entries Near threefold

Cite this Entry

“Threefold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/threefold. Accessed 22 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

threefold

adjective
three·​fold ˈthrē-ˌfōld How to pronounce threefold (audio)
-ˈfōld
1
: having three parts or members
2
: being three times as great or as many
threefold adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on threefold

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!