triple

1 of 3

verb

tri·​ple ˈtri-pəl 

tripled; tripling 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

triple

2 of 3

noun

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 sense 2

triple

3 of 3

adjective

1

: being three times as great or as many

2

: having or involving three units or members

triple bypass heart surgery

3

: having a threefold relation or character

worked as a double or even triple agent

—Time

4

a

: three times repeated : treble

b

: having three full revolutions

a triple somersault

a triple lutz

5

: marked by three beats per musical measure

triple meter

6

a

: having units of three components

triple feet

b

of rhyme : involving correspondence of three syllables (as in unfortunate-importunate)

Synonyms

Noun

• trio
• triad
• trinity

Adjective

• treble
• threefold

Examples of triple in a Sentence

Verb

He tripled his winnings at the track.

The town's population has tripled in size.

He tripled to right field.

Noun

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

Adjective

She got a new job with triple the salary of her old one.

He ordered a triple espresso.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

After nearly tripling during the pandemic, the number of employees working remotely has been leveling off, with more companies now mandating a return to the workplace. —Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 28 June 2025

The group's data shows book bans nearly tripled during the 2023-2024 school year, with over 10,000 books banned in public schools. —Kayla Jimenez, USA Today, 28 June 2025

Noun

Colt Keith #33 of the Detroit Tigers slides past third baseman Brooks Lee #2 of the Minnesota Twins for a triple during the eighth inning at Comerica Park on June 27, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. —Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025

Matt Thaiss added a two-run triple in the seventh for the Rays. —Compiled From Wire Reports, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 June 2025

Adjective

The past few days, when temperatures have been reaching into triple digits, made the children feel as ... —Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 30 June 2025

The intense heat is expected to last at least through the next 10 days or so, bringing with it record-breaking warmth for New York, where temperatures could climb into the triple digits in the coming days. —Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 19 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Noun

Middle English, from Latin triplus, adjective

Adjective

Middle English, from Latin triplus, from tri- + -plus multiplied by — more at -fold

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing triple

• triple-A
• triple-A battery
• triple bogey
• triple bond
• triple counterpoint
• triple-decker
• triple-double
• triple E
• triple-header
• triple jump
• triple play
• triple point
• triple sec
• triple-space
• triple-team
• triple threat
• triple-tongue

Rhymes for triple

• cripple
• nipple
• ripple
• stipple
• tipple
• participle
• schizotypal

Kids Definition

triple

1 of 3 verb

tri·​ple ˈtrip-əl 

tripled; tripling ˈtrip-(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to make or become three times as great or as many : multiply by three

their profits tripled last year

2

: to make a triple in baseball

triple

2 of 3 noun

1

a

: a triple sum, quantity, or number

b

: a combination, group, or series of three

2

: a hit in baseball that permits a batter to reach third base safely

triple

3 of 3 adjective

1

: being three times as great or as many

2

: having three units or parts

3

a

: three times repeated

b

: having three full revolutions

a triple somersault