half hour

noun

1

: thirty minutes

2

: the middle point of an hour

half-hourly

ˈhaf-ˈau̇(-ə)r-lē 

ˈhäf-

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

The film’s final half hour is a series of false endings, feeling unsure of just what moment would give the audience the satisfaction that would forever elude the family. —Leila Latif, IndieWire, 1 Sep. 2024

While the first half hour of his speech struck a more conciliatory tone, the rest of Trump’s speech was a greatest hits album marked by hyperbolic warnings about America and false claims of election fraud. —Candy Woodall, Baltimore Sun, 19 July 2024

Two convenience stores were robbed Friday night in Hollywood in less than a half hour, both by young men riding bicycles, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. —Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2024

The network cut away again about a half hour later. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 15 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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