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

Díaz doesn’t expect openly antagonistic messaging at the halftime show — perhaps the lighter-blue Puerto Rican independence flag as a covert anti-occupation gesture. —Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026

Disco, Occasionally era; and the Apple Music commercial for Bad Bunny’s upcoming Super Bowl halftime performance. —Rebecca Milzoff, Billboard, 30 Jan. 2026

Adjective

Robertson has not agitated for a move and showcased his professionalism with his performance as a half-time substitute in Liverpool’s 3-2 defeat by Bournemouth on Saturday. —James Pearce, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2026

Bad Bunny was always meant to perform a Super Bowl half-time show in the next few weeks, entirely in Spanish. —Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 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)