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 family owns a home in Washington, Utah, approximately three-and-a-half hours from UVU. Mandy Taheri joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025 Governor does not comment on hypotheticals, spokesman says DeWine's reticence on the guard question came a little more than a half hour into a press conference called to announce a new agreement for the state patrol to assist crime-fighting in Cincinnati. Patricia Gallagher Newberry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Sep. 2025 But this lasted for about a half hour. Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2025 Natalya Maddox drives for over a half hour to bring her children to Colors of the Alphabet. Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Half hour.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/half%20hour. Accessed 17 Sep. 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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