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

That was with the team sitting three potential cornerback rotation players, and another leaving before halftime with an injury. —Jesse Newell, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025

On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Katie & Keith are laying out all the fan evidence pointing to Swift headlining the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show. —Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 19 Aug. 2025

Adjective

In front of almost 3,000 spectators, the U.S. initially struggled in that final and trailed 6-3 at half-time to a penalty try. —Peter Carline, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025

Brazil equalised with a penalty on the stroke of half-time and took the initiative on the other side of the break, but suffered a setback due to a freak own goal. —Neel Shelat, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 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)