What does tripling mean?
Tripling is the present-participle and gerund form of the verb triple, meaning to increase something threefold or to become three times as large, numerous, or valuable. It can describe an intentional action, as in “the company is tripling its output,” or an observed change, as in “sales tripled during the holiday season.” The word is widely used in business, economics, science, technology, and everyday speech, where it gives a clear numerical emphasis on unusually rapid growth. As a noun, “the tripling of prices” names the process or result of multiplying by three. Tripling is related in meaning to multiplying and increasing, but it is more precise because it identifies a threefold result. Its imagery of three, along with the shared root behind words such as triple, triplicate, triangle, and trilogy, makes it a useful term for discussing expansion, transformation, and exceptional growth.
To become three times as large, numerous, valuable, or frequent, or to make something increase in that way.
"The number of online registrations tripled in one week."
In its present-participle use, tripling can describe an action that is underway, a repeated process, or a change being observed.
The act or process of multiplying something by three or becoming three times as large.
"The tripling of electricity demand placed pressure on the grid."
This use is usually abstract and often appears with a measure or area of activity, such as “the tripling of costs” or “the tripling of traffic.”
Rare; “tripling” is normally treated as a mass noun when referring to the process.
"The report documented three separate triplings in the size of the workload."
From the same ancient root behind triangle and trilogy, tripling gives us a vivid verb for making three times as much.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tripling come from?
Tripling is formed by adding the present-participle and gerund ending -ing to the verb triple. The word triple comes from Old French triple, ultimately from Latin triplex, meaning “threefold,” whose initial element reflects the inherited Indo-European numeral root for “three.” Related words include triplicate, triangle, and trilogy, all of which also express a connection with three.
How tripling is actually used
Tripling is neutral in register and is common in general, business, academic, and technical writing. It is especially natural with measures such as price, amount, size, number, and revenue; in informal contexts, it can also mean increasing very rapidly.
Easily confused with tripling
Triple is the base verb and adjective, while tripling is its present-participle and gerund form.
Tippling begins with a t and means drinking alcohol, whereas tripling begins with tr and means increasing threefold.