Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

half year

noun

Definition of half year

1 : one half of a year (as January to June or July to December)
2 : one of two academic terms : semester

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Other Words from half year

half-yearly \ ˈ⸗ˈ⸗⸗ \ adverb (or adjective)

History and Etymology for half year

Middle English

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about half year

Dictionary Entries near half year

half-wit

half-world

halfy

half year

hali-

Haliaeetus

halibut

Statistics for half year

Look-up Popularity

Comments on half year

What made you want to look up half year? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

wherewithal

means, resources, or money

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Homophone Quiz

  • three-bears-two-of-them-look-like-theyre-whispering-to-a-third-bear-who-looks-chuffed-to-be-the-center-of-attention
  • In order to judge how people felt, the senator's office hired a firm to take a ______.
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Dictionary Devil

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games