halftime

1 of 2

noun

half·​time ˈhaf-ˌtīm 

ˈhäf-

: an intermission between halves of a game or contest (as in football or basketball)

half-time

2 of 2

adjective

ˈhaf-ˌtīm 

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

Noun

In the ensuing frame, the score went from tied at 56 with four minutes remaining to Indiana leading 69-64 at halftime. —Bobby Krivitsky, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025

Despite being one of the top-selling artists of all time, her career suffered from the fallout of the infamous 2004 Super Bowl halftime appearance with Justin Timberlake, when her bare breast was briefly exposed. —Kiki Intarasuwan, CBS News, 26 May 2025

Adjective

Villa were 5-2 down on aggregate at half-time and so very nearly came back to produce one of the most utterly thrilling back-from-the-brink wins in Champions League history. —Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 29 May 2025

Other options include at least half-time enrollment in an educational program or a combination of the available options. —Joseph Choi, The Hill, 12 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1865, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1861, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for halftime

• airtime
• bedtime
• daytime
• downtime
• enzyme
• lifetime
• longtime
• lunchtime
• mealtime
• meantime
• nighttime
• noontime

Kids Definition

halftime

noun

half·​time ˈhaf-ˌtīm 

ˈhȧf-

: an intermission marking the completion of half of a game (as in football)