double-decker

American  

[duhb-uhl-dek-er] / ˈdʌb əlˈdɛk ər /

noun

1. something with two decks, tiers, or the like, as two beds one above the other, a ship with two decks above the water line, or a bus with two decks.

2. a food item consisting of two main layers, as a sandwich made with three slices of bread and two layers of filling.

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double-decker British  

noun

1. a bus with two passenger decks

2. informal

   1. a thing or structure having two decks, layers, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      a double-decker sandwich

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Etymology

Origin of double-decker

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

double-decker

They took an old double-decker bus, removed the roof, and retrofitted the rest, instead of just renting a tour bus.

From Salon ● Jun. 23, 2026

Outside the venue, a double-decker bus was parked with signage advertising the LP, which is called “The Boys of Dungeon Lane” after a road in his Liverpool hometown.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 28, 2026

Inaugurated in 1863, the tram is one of the world's oldest, and among only a few to operate double-decker cars.

From Barron's ● Feb. 25, 2026

These days, transforming the asphalt landscape into a sandy oasis takes about a week, with almost 900 tonnes of sand – that's about six blue whales or 70 double-decker buses – trucked in.

From BBC ● Feb. 20, 2026

By 7:15, we were on the Metra, a huge double-decker commuter train headed downtown.

From "Geeks: How Two Lost Boys Rode the Internet Out of Idaho" by Jon Katz