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

Seattle shot 32% (12 of 38) from the field and two of 11 (18%) from behind the arc before going into halftime trailing by 19. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

There will be halftime shows at seven of those nine games presented by American Express amid the NFL’s ongoing longterm mission of expanding globally. — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 31 Aug. 2026

Adjective

Ronaldinho drove Madonna onto the field at half-time of the World Cup final in a weird little buggy thing. — Nick Miller, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026

School eligibility To get a SoFi student loan, you must be enrolled at least half-time in a degree-seeking or graduate certificate-seeking program at an eligible school. — Rebecca Safier, USA Today, 28 Aug. 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)