triple

verb tri·ple \ ˈtri-pəl \

|Updated on: 14 Aug 2018

Examples: triple in a Sentence

Definition of triple

tripled; tripling play \ˈtri-p(ə-)liŋ\

transitive verb

1 : to make three times as great or as many

2 a : to score (a base runner) by a triple

b : to bring about the scoring of (a run) by a triple

intransitive verb

1 : to become three times as great or as numerous

their profits tripled last year

2 : to make a triple in baseball

See triple defined for English-language learners

See triple defined for kids

Examples of triple in a Sentence

He tripled his winnings at the track.
The town's population has tripled in size.
He tripled to right field.

Recent Examples of triple from the Web

Nikoletich said Royal faced 25 years to life for murder, but that was tripled because of prior strike felony convictions.

— pauline repard, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Man sent to prison for 105 years for 2007 Spring Valley murder," 13 July 2018
In October 2014, the N.B.A. signed a new television agreement that nearly tripled the amount the league received annually for its national television rights, to $2.66 billion from $930 million, beginning in 2016.

— kevin draper, New York Times, "Michele Roberts on N.B.A. Competitive Imbalance: Don’t Blame the Players," 9 July 2018
Bluemercury has already opened about 100 new locations in the past three years, nearly tripling its fleet.

— Fortune, "55 New Bluemercury Stores Planned Across the U.S., Macy's Says," 5 July 2018
While subscriptions in India tripled in value last year, there are still fewer than two million paying subscribers in total across all the audio platforms in the country, with a paltry one-percent conversion rate.

— cherie hu, Billboard, "India Beyond Bollywood: How YouTube & Other Streaming Services Are Rewiring the Local Music Industry," 25 June 2018
The number of shootings in some neighborhoods has more than tripled.

— brad heath, USA TODAY, "Baltimore police stopped noticing crime after Freddie Gray's death. A wave of killings followed.," 12 July 2018
The rate of cases has tripled from two decades ago, according to the CDC.

— sumathi reddy, WSJ, "New Effort for Lyme Disease Vaccine Draws Early Fire," 9 July 2018
During that time, the number of employees in the agency’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, which handles the identification and removal of undocumented immigrants, has tripled.

— margaret hartmann, Daily Intelligencer, "‘Abolish ICE’: The Roots of the Left’s New Immigration Rallying Cry," 26 June 2018
The number that will spend 2 percent of GDP on defense by 2024 has more than tripled (from five to 18).

— steven erlanger, New York Times, "As Summit Nears, NATO Allies Have One Main Worry: Trump," 26 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'triple.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of triple

Middle English (Scots), from Late Latin triplare, from Latin triplus, adjective

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

triple

noun

Definition of triple

1 a : a triple sum, quantity, or number

b : a combination, group, or series of three

2 : a base hit that allows the batter to reach third base safely

3 : trifecta 2

See triple defined for English-language learners

Examples of triple in a Sentence

that triple of terrors for the wintertime driver: snow, ice, and sleet

Recent Examples of triple from the Web

The 22-year-old batted .300 with 13 doubles, five triples, five home runs, and a .758 OPS in 79 games at high-A Clearwater.

— scott lauber, Philly.com, "Phillies' Rhys Hoskins unconcerned about Home Run Derby impacting his swing," 12 July 2018
The Kepler single set into motion a string of four straight hits, including Jake Cave’s first career triple, which drove in the Twins’ first run of the game, and Wilson’s first RBI hit of the afternoon.

— maria torres, kansascity, "Unable to keep early lead vs. Twins, Royals drop another series," 11 July 2018
By McClatchy Simpson leaves Keller with career records in games played (148), runs (166), doubles (53), triples (23), home runs (27) and RBI (169).

— brian gosset, star-telegram, "Trio of DFW softball stars named FloSoftball All-Americans," 3 July 2018
Among primary catchers in the NL, Realmuto ranks first in runs (39), doubles (19) and extra-base hits (32); tied for second in hits (73) and triples (3); and third in homers (10) and RBI (35).

— craig davis, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Marlins' J.T. Realmuto moves into top 5 in All-Star voting at catcher," 2 July 2018
Smoltz had six bogeys and a triple in his first nine holes, starting on the 10th hole at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs.

— usa today sports, USA TODAY, "John Smoltz blows up early at U.S. Senior Open," 28 June 2018
The City Player of the Year is hitting .386 with 11 triples, eight home runs and 28 RBIs.

— kyle neddenriep, Indianapolis Star, "Cathedral baseball not perfect, but back in state finals," 14 June 2018
Riley Greene, Hagerty, Jr. Buzz: Finished 34-for-84 (.405) with team highs in runs (36), RBI (26), triples (6) and home runs (4).

— j.c. carnahan, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Sentinel baseball all-area teams led by Timber Creek's Bret Neilan," 8 June 2018
After missing most of last season with a hamstring injury, the Westwood resident made a major impact in his junior year for NU – leading the team in home runs (11), triples (8), doubles (16), and RBI’s (63).

— john johnson, BostonGlobe.com, "Jake Farrell a force in Northeastern return," 8 June 2018