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

The therapy can involve exposure to bright light for about a half hour in the morning, powered by devices that emit light about 20 times brighter than regular indoor light. — ABC News, 4 Nov. 2026

More than 300 law enforcement officers responded and evacuated more than 3,000 employees from the complex in two and half hours, Losat said. — Joe Sutton, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2026

Voters waited in line for over two-and-a-half hours at this location. — Antonio Perez, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026

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