half hour

noun

1
: thirty minutes
2
: the middle point of an hour
half-hourly 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Sly emerged after another half hour, having added a black leather jerkin to his ensemble. Timothy Crouse, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2025 Originally told in two parts, the Broadway version was truncated after the pandemic and retooled into a single, three and half hour show. Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 5 June 2025 The players spent the last half hour in almost constant motion, running through actions and scouting matchups on the Dream’s roster with stoic expressions and little chatter outside of brief questions and corrections between plays. Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 5 June 2025 Roughly a half hour’s drive from Bulawayo is Matobo, the epicenter of this painting tradition that predates colonialism. Percy Zvomuya, Artforum, 1 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for half hour

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of half hour was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Half hour.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/half%20hour. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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