plural halves
ˈhavz 
ˈhävz
1
a
: either of two equal parts that compose something
also
: a part approximately equal to one of these
half the distance
the larger half of the fortune
b
: half an hour
—used in designation of time
half past two
2
3
4
: halfback
see also:
1
a
: being one of two equal parts
a half share
a half sheet of paper
b(1)
: that is approximately equal to either of two equal parts that compose something : amounting to approximately half
a half mile
a half million
(2)
: falling short of the full or complete thing : partial
half measures
a half smile
2
: extending over one of two equal parts of something : covering only half
a half window
a half mask
halfness
noun
Examples of half in a Sentence
Noun
She broke each cookie into halves.
“Which half do you want?” “I'll take the smaller half.”
Two halves make a whole.
The team fell behind in the first half but rallied in the second half to win the game.
“What's yours?” “A half of lager, please.”
Adjective
a half cup of coffee
He owns a half share in the company.
a half pound of cheese
She looked at him with a shy half smile.
Adverb
The glass of water is half full.
The crowd was half cheering and half jeering.
The train departed at half past the hour.
He was only half aware of what was happening.
She had half persuaded me to stay.
The door was half open.
These eggs are only half cooked.
Recent Examples on the Web
Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2026
Transfer half of mustard mixture to another small bowl; set aside.
—Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Mar. 2026
Ben Smith, semafor.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Gino Marchetti, football Named the greatest defensive end of the NFL’s first half-century, Marchetti played 13 years with the Colts and captained them to back-to-back championships (1958 and 1959).
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 23 Mar. 2026
Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
Some stations limited fill-ups to cars with tanks at least half-empty, which turned attendants into the gas police.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for half
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Noun
Florida overcame a 10-point first-half deficit and dug out of a 12-point hole after intermission on Sunday, but could not close out the Hawkeyes, who will face Nebraska on Thursday in Houston.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2026
Transfer half of mustard mixture to another small bowl; set aside.
—Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
For Bob Work, the big red flag came with reports that Iran appeared to have damaged two half-billion-dollar radar installations at the outset of the US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Gino Marchetti, football Named the greatest defensive end of the NFL’s first half-century, Marchetti played 13 years with the Colts and captained them to back-to-back championships (1958 and 1959).
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 23 Mar. 2026
Adverb
Yes, the robots are half built—but my son’s interests have advanced.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
Some stations limited fill-ups to cars with tanks at least half-empty, which turned attendants into the gas police.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for half
Cite this Entry
“Half.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/half. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
half
2 of 3 adjective1
: being one of two halves
a half sheet of paper
a half mile away
2
: of half the usual size or extent
a half smile
half
3 of 3 adverb1
a
: to the extent of half
half full
b
: to some degree : not completely
half persuaded
2
: by any means : at all
the song wasn't half bad
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