triple-team

verb

tri·​ple-team ˈtri-pəl-ˌtēm 

triple-teamed; triple-teaming; triple-teams

transitive verb

: to block or guard (an opponent) with three players at one time

triple-team noun

Examples of triple-team in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That didn't last long, as Fielder often saw double-teams, triple-teams and junk defenses that became standard by the latter stretch of the season. — Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 29 Mar. 2026

The Highlanders’ 6-2 senior point guard averaged 25 points, five rebounds and four assists a game while being frequently double- and triple-teamed. — Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026

Not only did nearly half of his points come from the free-throw line (a league-record 36), but there was an extreme effort to force-feed him through double- and triple-teams late when the game was well in hand. — Sam Amick, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026

Willis wasn’t complaining about getting double and sometimes triple-teamed inside. — Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for triple-team

• academe
• cherubim
• elohim
• episteme
• seraphim
• abeam
• airstream
• bloodstream
• daydream
• downstream
• esteem
• extreme