: an intermission between halves of a game or contest (as in football or basketball)
: 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
Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026
Towns finished with 21 points, 11 rebounds and four assists on the night but took just three shots for two points in the first half as the shorthanded Pistons built a 10-point halftime lead.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 20 Feb. 2026
Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
In years past, American Sign Language performers have taken to the world’s biggest stage, accompanying half-time show headliners and interpreting for deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 10 Feb. 2026
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Noun
Harvard-Westlake built a 10-point halftime lead but had to hold on against Mission League rival Crespi at home, 49-46.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026
Towns finished with 21 points, 11 rebounds and four assists on the night but took just three shots for two points in the first half as the shorthanded Pistons built a 10-point halftime lead.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Benfica started the game confidently after their dramatic 4-2 win against Madrid in the final league-phase game in January, but the visiting side began to dominate in the lead-up to half-time.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
In years past, American Sign Language performers have taken to the world’s biggest stage, accompanying half-time show headliners and interpreting for deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for halftime
Cite this Entry
“Halftime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/halftime. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
halftime
noun
half·time
ˈhaf-ˌtīm 
ˈhȧf-
: an intermission marking the completion of half of a game (as in football)
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