halftime

1 of 2

noun

half·​time ˈhaf-ˌtīm How to pronounce halftime (audio)
ˈhäf-
: an intermission between halves of a game or contest (as in football or basketball)

half-time

2 of 2

adjective

ˈhaf-ˌtīm How to pronounce half-time (audio)
ˈhäf-
: involving or working half the standard hours
half-time adverb

Examples of halftime in a Sentence

Noun The score was tied at halftime. The coaches discussed strategy during halftime.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
But shortly before halftime of Monday’s Game 5 against the Dallas Mavericks, backup guard Payton Pritchard pulled up from behind midcourt and swished in a buzzer-beating heave. Ben Golliver, Washington Post, 18 June 2024 The Mavericks had been keeping pace at the start of the game, but Boston went on a 9-0 run to close out the first quarter, giving them a 10-point lead that then grew to 21 by halftime. CBS News, 17 June 2024
Adjective
Arnautović should have doubled Austria’s lead 10 minutes before half-time when Sabitzer’s cross fortuitously ended up at his feet, but the Inter Milan forward failed to even make contact with the ball. Matias Grez, CNN, 26 June 2024 San Jose’s ninth annual Fourth of July Fireworks Festival will feature live music, a half-time show, food trucks, a fun zone and a 9:15 p.m. fireworks finale. Brittany Delay, The Mercury News, 25 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for halftime 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'halftime.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1865, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1861, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of halftime was in 1861

Dictionary Entries Near halftime

Cite this Entry

“Halftime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/halftime. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

halftime

noun
half·​time ˈhaf-ˌtīm How to pronounce halftime (audio)
ˈhȧf-
: an intermission marking the completion of half of a game (as in football)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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