halfway house

noun

1

a

: a place to stop midway on a journey

b

: a halfway place in a progression

2

: a residence for individuals after release from institutionalization (as for mental illness, drug addiction, or criminal activity) that is designed to facilitate their readjustment to private life

Examples of halfway house in a Sentence

The car is the perfect halfway house between a family caravan and luxury sedan.

Recent Examples on the Web

After being released to a halfway house last June, Lee enrolled in community college and found work at a local nonprofit. —Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2024

Since then, Sherri has served her time in jail and at a halfway house, all while Keith has rebuilt his life and told his side of the story in the Hulu docuseries Perfect Wife: The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papini, premiering June 20. —Alex Gurley, Peoplemag, 21 June 2024

Sherri Papini was released from prison in August 2023 and moved into a halfway house close by to her ex-husband and their children Tyler and Violet. —Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 21 June 2024

In October 2023, after serving 10 months and 21 days in prison, Sherri was released to a halfway house. —Rachel Brodsky, TIME, 18 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

halfway house

noun

: a place that provides living quarters and usually counseling to persons who have left an institution (as a prison or mental hospital) but are not ready to live in the community

Medical Definition

halfway house

noun

half·​way house ˈhaf-ˈwā-, ˈhȧf- 

: a center for individuals after institutionalization (as for mental illness or drug addiction) that is designed to facilitate their readjustment to private life

Legal Definition

halfway house

noun

half·​way house

: a residence for formerly institutionalized individuals (as mental patients, drug addicts, or convicts) that is designed to facilitate their readjustment to private life