double-time

1 of 2

verb

dou·​ble-time ˈdə-bəl-ˌtīm How to pronounce double-time (audio)
double-timed; double-timing; double-times

intransitive verb

: to move at double time

double time

2 of 2

noun

1
: a marching cadence of 180 30-inch steps per minute
2
: payment of a worker at twice the regular wage rate

Examples of double-time in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The Venezuelan producer rinses an athletic drum loop into a muscular double-time rhythm, chopping up a vocal sample into a heart-pumping cross-training session. Isabelia Herrera, Pitchfork, 22 Mar. 2024 But the Ally paid for its double-time screen with disappointing battery life. Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 9 Nov. 2023 The remix finds Emerson ramping up the original groove to a swift, double-time pace as a repeating synth mantra bubbles up around Dreijer’s vocals. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2023 Sleeping on your back might just have your retinol doing its job double-time and your face waking up glowing. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 20 July 2023 Scammers seem to be working double-time before the COVID-19 public emergency officially ends on May 11 and free tests won’t be as readily available anymore. Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 4 May 2023 Trending Fox Has a Secret ‘Oppo File’ to Keep Tucker Carlson in Check, Sources Say Defcee starts off his verse offsetting Crash’s measured pace with a double-time, dexterous verse showing off his knack for storytelling. Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 26 Apr. 2023 Since Keaton’s death last year, Gray is working double-time. Sharon Grigsby, Dallas News, 21 Mar. 2023
Noun
To put the end to these threats the new management made the chop-chop square work double time to demonstrate what will happen to zealots who want the country to stay behind. Alex Zhavoronkov, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023 The song’s not even asking for that..double time flows…talking about all this stuff that’s not even regarding the song. Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2023 After a hot and muggy Labor Day drew thousands of beachgoers and boaters to Lake Michigan Monday, a safety expert is calling the holiday one of the deadliest for the lakefront in recent history as emergency responders worked double time in rescue and recovery missions over a 24-hour period. Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2023 The terms Pact offered last week on productions costing up to £7 million ($8.3 million) an hour were shorter working days, additional pay for prep and wrap, payment for working unsocial hours, a higher overtime fee cap and paying days worked over public holidays at double time. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 July 2022 Her movements are exaggerated now, double time. Alex Mar, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2023 Even as the property welcomed its first official guests in February, crews of hospitality veterans from Pelton’s Greenport, New York property, American Beech were working double time alongside crews from St. Thomas to polish all of the Pink Palm’s bells and whistles. Joe Sills, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2023 That’s thanks to new entertainment venues like Flight Club, Puttshack, and soon-to arrive Alamo Drafthouse — which do double time as after-work drink destinations or as birthday party spots for your kid. Catherine Carlock, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Jan. 2023 This lip balm works double time to both hydrate and add light glam to any look—especially that just-got-off-the-plane look. Meaghan Kenny, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Aug. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'double-time.' 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

Verb

1886, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1853, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of double-time was in 1853

Dictionary Entries Near double-time

double time

double-time

doubleton

Cite this Entry

“Double-time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/double-time. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

double-time

1 of 2 verb
dou·​ble-time
ˈdəb-əl-ˌtīm
: to move at double time

double time

2 of 2 noun
1
: a marching rate of 180 steps per minute
2
: payment of a worker at twice the regular wage rate
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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