triple

/ˈtrɪpəl/

/ˈtrɪpəl/

Other forms: tripled; triples; triply; tripler

Triple means to multiply by three. If you triple the number two, you get six, and six is the triple of the number two.

In triple, you see tri which means three. You see this prefix in tricycle (three wheels), tripod (three legs), and triplet (three siblings born at the same time). To triple is to increase threefold, just as to double means to increase twofold, quadruple fourfold and quintuple fivefold. In each of these pairs, the former word is Latin based and the latter has Old English origins.

Definitions of triple

1. adjective

   having three units or components or elements
   “overcrowding made triple sessions necessary”

   “triple time has three beats per measure”

   synonyms: ternary, treble, triplex

   multiple

   having or involving or consisting of more than one part or entity or individual
2. adjective

   three times as great or many
   synonyms: three-fold, threefold, treble

   multiple

   having or involving or consisting of more than one part or entity or individual
3. noun

   a quantity that is three times as great as another
   type of:

   multiple

   the product of a quantity by an integer
4. noun

   a set of three similar things considered as a unit
   synonyms: triad, trio, triplet

   examples:

   Trimurti

   the triad of divinities of later Hinduism

   types:

   trilogy

   a set of three literary or dramatic works related in subject or theme

   trigon, triplicity

   (astrology) one of four groups of the zodiac where each group consists of three signs separated from each other by 120 degrees

   type of:

   set

   a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used
5. verb

   increase threefold
   “Triple your income!”

   synonyms: treble

   type of:

   manifold, multiply

   combine or increase by multiplication
6. noun

   a base hit at which the batter stops safely at third base
   synonyms: three-bagger, three-base hit

   types:

   line triple, line-drive triple

   a triple resulting from a line drive

   type of:

   base hit, safety

   (baseball) the successful act of striking a baseball in such a way that the batter reaches base safely
7. verb

   hit a three-base hit
   type of:

   hit

   cause to move by striking