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triple time

American  

noun

Music.
  1. time or rhythm characterized by three beats to the measure with an accent on the first beat.


triple time British  

noun

  1. musical time with three beats in each bar

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of triple time

First recorded in 1655–65

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

I would end up singing everything in triple time to get to the meal.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 23, 2026

The second movement, a galloping scherzo in triple time, was brimming with character, and benefited greatly from Cox’s locomotive approach.

From Washington Post Apr. 8, 2022

Her flow — a laid-back drawl that she sometimes smoothed out to a harmonious lilt or speeded up triple time in whiplash fury — stood on its own, inspiring a new generation of female rappers.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 23, 2017

And the mathematical proportions applied to meter changes — two units in duple time equal three in triple time — generally led to slower tempos.

From New York Times Jan. 3, 2013

She didn’t respond, her heart pounding in triple time as she made her way to the attic.

From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland

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