triple time

/ˈtɹɪ.pl̩ ˌtaɪ̯m/

noun

A rhythm or time with three beats per bar: one accented followed by two unaccented.

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Meanings

nountriple time (uncountable)
  1. uncountableentertainmentA rhythm or time with three beats per bar: one accented followed by two unaccented.
  2. uncountableA rate of pay that is three times the normal rate (for reasons such as working on a holiday or working hazardous duty).

Origin

From triple + time (“measure, tempo”).

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Korean 삼박자
  • 삼박자 (sambakja)rhythm with three beats per bar
Swedish tretakt
  • tretaktrhythm with three beats per bar
Cite this entry
APA

triple time. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/triple%20time

MLA

“triple time.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/triple%20time. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “triple time,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/triple%20time.

Source: triple time on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.