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

Central Florida rallied from a four-point halftime deficit to beat Georgia State 44-30 on Saturday. — Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Sep. 2026

Miami missed a field goal and made two before halftime, when San Francisco led 14-6. — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Adjective

Brighton won possession eight times in United’s final third before half-time, the most by an opponent in a first half since Fulham in November 2022. — Chris McKenna, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

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)