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 midday bite was tough, as predicted, but the last half hour of light yielded several largemouths, including a six-pounder to finish off the evening. — Kristine Fischer, Outdoor Life, 16 July 2026

The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe is building the new Naskila Resort & Casino in the Piney Woods of deep East Texas, about a four-and-a-half hour drive from Fort Worth. — Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026

The line was closed in both directions for four-and-a-half hours on Saturday as emergency services attended the scene, German news channel Tagesschau reported. — Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026

On Wednesday, Hedges spent a half hour encouraging Slade Cecconi after a rough outing. — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 9 July 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