half step

noun

1
: a walking step of 15 inches or in double time of 18 inches
2
: a musical interval (such as E-F or B-C) equivalent to ¹/₁₂ of an octave

called also semitone

Examples of half step in a Sentence

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.
Colts–Broncos was similarly uneventful except for Jonathan Taylor dropping the ball a half step before walking into the end zone on a long run. Michael Salfino, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024 More of a half step than Microsoft’s Xbox One X, which can at least do things like play 4K Blu-rays. Jeffrey Van Camp, WIRED, 5 Mar. 2018 Kentucky Derby second-place finisher Sierra Leone, a half step from winning, is expected to headline that field. CBS News, 18 May 2024 When singers can no longer bound across the stage, stay on pitch or hit notes that once came easily (even after bringing the keys of a song down a half step or more)? George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Dec. 2023 See all Example Sentences for half step 

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of half step was in 1598

Dictionary Entries Near half step

Cite this Entry

“Half step.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/half%20step. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

half step

noun
: the pitch interval between any two adjacent tones on a keyboard instrument

called also semitone

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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