overtime

noun

over·​time ˈō-vər-ˌtīm How to pronounce overtime (audio)
Synonyms of overtimenext
1
: time in excess of a set limit: such as
a
: working time in excess of a standard day or week
b
: an extra period of play in a contest
2
: the wage paid for overtime
overtime adverb

Examples of overtime in a Sentence

I worked two hours of overtime last week. He was doing a lot of overtime to save for his vacation. How much did you earn last month in overtime? The game went into overtime. They lost the game in overtime.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The last time France had a full roster was at the Paris Olympics 2024, when the home team was one foot away from taking Team USA to overtime in the gold-medal game. — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026 The African nation beat Senegal in overtime in the 15th place game in the 2010 tournament. — ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026 Where the conversation heads into overtime is discussing the actual work that goes into styling sports gods — whether from the NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, NHL or MLS. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026 The two teams ended up in an overtime thriller that the Cavs won 145-134, with Mitchell dropping a career-high 71 in the process. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overtime

Word History

First Known Use

1791, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of overtime was in 1791

Phrases Containing overtime

Rhymes for overtime

See All Rhymes for overtime

Browse Nearby Words

overtilt
overtime
overtime pay
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overtime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overtime. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

overtime

noun
over·​time ˈō-vər-ˌtīm How to pronounce overtime (audio)
1
: time beyond a set limit
especially : working time beyond a standard day or week
2
: the wage paid for overtime
overtime adverb or adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on overtime

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for overtime

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about overtime

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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