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

Sessions typically cost $65 to $85 and last about two-and-a-half hours. — Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026

Billiard, meanwhile, has spent the past half hour quietly working on a crossword at the edge of the table. — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026

Reminders of what’s missing Three-and-a-half hours through traffic took the sisters home, for another reunion, another piece of the family put back together with a very, very long embrace from their mom, Nancy. — Norma Galeana, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026

Simmer the soup for about 3 hours more, checking every half hour to skim off any impurities and adding water as needed (see Note), until the broth turns cloudy and the meat on the oxtails is tender and slightly falling off the bone. — Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for half hour

• bower
• cower
• dour
• flour
• flower
• fower
• glower
• our
• power
• scour
• shower
• sour

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