: 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
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2026
Indeed, the halftime show’s setting in a sugarcane field highlights the sugar and rum production in the Caribbean, industries at the heart of the Colonial systems and slave trade that shaped our history.
—Lara N. Dotson-Renta, Chicago Tribune, 13 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
See All Example Sentences for halftime
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Noun
With all of the furor over the halftime show, perhaps no one noticed two highly insulting events that directly affected the deaf audience.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2026
Indeed, the halftime show’s setting in a sugarcane field highlights the sugar and rum production in the Caribbean, industries at the heart of the Colonial systems and slave trade that shaped our history.
—Lara N. Dotson-Renta, Chicago Tribune, 13 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 21 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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