Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

double-barreled

American  
[duhb-uhl-bar-uhld] / ˈdʌb əlˈbær əld /

adjective

  1. having two barrels mounted side by side, as a shotgun.

  2. serving a double purpose or having two parts or aspects.

    a double-barreled attack on corruption.


Etymology

Origin of double-barreled

First recorded in 1700–10

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.

I remember wondering whether the literary memoirist I so enjoyed could present a big-picture argument with all the necessary historical asides while carrying forward a heavy, double-barreled thesis.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 26, 2025

The inflection point for the fashion and beauty industry came with the double-barreled ascent of Jennifer Lopez, who conquered both the pop charts and the big screen in the latter part of the ’90s.

From Salon • Oct. 20, 2025

Parents will also be allowed to give their children a double-barreled surname.

From Seattle Times • May 17, 2024

But this year’s ceremony, emceed by ABC late night host Jimmy Kimmel, had the double-barreled box office bang of “Oppenheimer” and “Barbie” going for it.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2024

Next to a box of shells, Grandpa Dowdel’s old double-barreled Winchester Model 21 was on the kitchen table, along with a greasy rig, like Grandma meant to clean it.

From "A Long Way from Chicago" by Richard Peck