: an intermission between halves of a game or contest (as in football or basketball)
: 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
Darnell Mayberry, New York Times, 12 May 2026
McGlynn had a shot from nearly the same spot hit the far post, also in the 42nd, and Nathan Ordaz answered for LAFC three minutes later to cut it to 2-1 at halftime.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
Ellie’s half-time show performances have become a marquee event for Liberty fans—and everyone else online—so the team had to go big.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for halftime
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Noun
Detroit allowed Cleveland to sprint to a 22-0 run to start the second half that took the Cavaliers from a four-point halftime deficit to an 18-point lead the Pistons were never able to overcome.
—Darnell Mayberry, New York Times, 12 May 2026
McGlynn had a shot from nearly the same spot hit the far post, also in the 42nd, and Nathan Ordaz answered for LAFC three minutes later to cut it to 2-1 at halftime.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
Adjective
The Lakers held a 59-57 half-time lead by leaning on their ball movement, improved shooting and hustle.
—Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
Ellie’s half-time show performances have become a marquee event for Liberty fans—and everyone else online—so the team had to go big.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for halftime
Cite this Entry
“Halftime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/halftime. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
halftime
noun
half·time
ˈhaf-ˌtīm 
ˈhȧf-
: an intermission marking the completion of half of a game (as in football)
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