half hour

noun

1
: thirty minutes
2
: the middle point of an hour
half-hourly adverb or adjective

Examples of half hour in a Sentence

Trains depart every half hour. I waited a half hour in line.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The site also uses some nonstandard conventions, one of which cost me at least a half hour in data entry time. PCMAG, 4 Feb. 2025 Parking there costs $2 for each half hour, with a maximum $20 per day maximum. Marcus D. Smith, Sacramento Bee, 29 Jan. 2025 About 60% of the U.S. is accessible to Charlotte via a two and half hour plane ride, according to the business alliance. Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 30 Jan. 2025 The first one occurred about a half hour after Jiang's murder. Murray Weiss, CBS News, 24 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for half hour

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of half hour was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Half hour.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/half%20hour. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

half hour

noun
1
: thirty minutes
2
: the middle point of an hour
half-hourly
ˈhaf-ˈau̇(ə)r-lē
ˈhȧf-
adverb or adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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