half step
noun
1
: a walking step of 15 inches or in double time of 18 inches
2
: a musical interval (such as E-F or B-C) equivalent to 1/12 of an octave
called also semitone
Examples of half step in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
LaVine finishes the contest by dunking from a half step inside the free-throw line and going between his legs.
—
Zach Harper, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Getting there was a process as well, much like therapy — two steps forward one day, one-and-a-half steps backward the next.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2025
On both occasions Saturday night, a recipient got a foot to the ball but was a half step too late.
—Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 14 Sep. 2025
Its layout doesn’t follow a regular chromatic scale, so a half step between notes can necessitate a giant leap across the instrument.
—Jane Bua, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for half step
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Zach Harper, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Getting there was a process as well, much like therapy — two steps forward one day, one-and-a-half steps backward the next.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2025
On both occasions Saturday night, a recipient got a foot to the ball but was a half step too late.
—Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 14 Sep. 2025
Its layout doesn’t follow a regular chromatic scale, so a half step between notes can necessitate a giant leap across the instrument.
—Jane Bua, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for half step
Cite this Entry
“Half step.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/half%20step. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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