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

Mr. Sheeran fesses up to one while aboard a double-decker bus carrying out-of-town tourists.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 20, 2025

It weighed the same as eight double-decker buses and took a specialist team more than a month to break down.

From BBC • Nov. 17, 2025

The double-decker bus, operated by the Llamosas company, had departed on Tuesday night from Chala, a town in Caraveli province, and was headed for Arequipa, Peru's second-largest city.

From Barron's • Nov. 12, 2025

The Dodgers will travel atop double-decker buses during the parade.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 3, 2025

It was a double-decker, with armor plating, bulletproof windows, and solar panels on the roof.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline