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
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.
Noun
Right before halftime, the Nuggets had a 54-47 lead. Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2025 Trailing 2-0 at halftime, coach Albertin Montoya made a pair of substitutions looking to boost Bay’s offensive attack that looked to pay off in the 59th minute when Racheal Kundananji, one of the second-half subs, cleared the way for rookie Taylor Huff to streak up the middle of the field. Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Brighton were level at half-time at 1-1 with Chelsea when Dunk was forced out of the third round tie at the Amex Stadium in early February. Andy Naylor, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 Erika Page/The Christian Science Monitor Held in stadiums across Africa, its games offer the look and feel of a North American basketball match, including flashy half-time shows featuring regional pop stars and sophisticated light and camera production. Erika Page, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for halftime

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

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Halftime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/halftime. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

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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