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

One-time Titans quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is among the pregame, halftime and postgame personalities. — Jenny Catlin, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

At halftime, as his LSU team took a 31-3 lead over Clemson into the locker room, the Tigers’ head coach was about to dash off after chatting with ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026

Adjective

No replays were shown at the time by the broadcaster because the ball only went out of play very briefly before the referee blew for half-time. — Graham Scott, New York Times, 8 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)