Illustration of halter
- halter 1b
1
a
: a rope or strap for leading or tying an animal
b
: a headstall usually with noseband and throatlatch to which a lead may be attached
2
: a rope for hanging criminals : noose
also
: death by hanging
3
: a woman's blouse or top that leaves the back, arms, and midriff bare and that is typically held in place by straps around the neck and across the back
haltered; haltering
ˈhȯl-t(ə-)riŋ 
Examples of halter in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Alex Apatoff, Peoplemag, 29 Sep. 2023
Elsewhere, Rosalía's dusty pink halter skewed a touch more casual (as did her subsequent athleisure look).
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 9 Sep. 2023
Ditto Seema in a silver lurex halter that seems to reflect her new willingness to take a relationship risk; ditto Nya in her prints.
—The Styles Desk, New York Times, 24 Aug. 2023
The singer wore a black halter tank, leather flared pants and platform shoes.
—Genevieve Cepeda, Peoplemag, 25 Sep. 2023
The longline bra offers a bit more coverage than a bra and has the cutest adjustable spaghetti halter straps.
—Dana Leigh Smith, Glamour, 15 Sep. 2023
Kunis opted for a sparkly black halter top and light pink pants for the flick’s Los Angeles red carpet premiere.
—Brittany Natale, ELLE, 10 Aug. 2023
Dumi is living in her own world and this collection reflects that with blazer halter tops, pleated skirts, and intricate ruching.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 5 Oct. 2023
After attending the Prada spring/summer 2024 show in a little black halter dress and a sweet hair bow, Watson stepped out in another head-to-toe Prada look that easily could have been stolen from Rory Gilmore's closet (if Rory had an Emily Gilmore-sized budget, that is).
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 24 Sep. 2023
Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 18 Oct. 2023
The dazzling dress was perfectly fitted to Gomez's figure, and featured a short train and halter neck.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 5 Oct. 2023
Timothée Chalamet wore a barely there halter top to the Venice Film Festival in 2022.
—Jacob Gallagher, WSJ, 16 June 2023
Hannah wore a custom dress designed by Vera Wang: a mermaid-style gown with a sweetheart neckline, tulle halter high neck and plunging back.
—Caitlyn Hitt, Peoplemag, 8 May 2023
Fan dazzled in a shimmery Tony Ward halter dress and green cape that featured oversized sleeves and a train.
—Charmaine Patterson, Peoplemag, 12 Mar. 2023
But gradually, with the help of alfalfa cubes, Buddy got comfortable enough for Ben to pet him, then brush his fur, then halter him.
—Maggie Shannon Jill Cowan, New York Times, 17 Sep. 2022
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Noun
The barrister was good as gold in a custom Maison Margiela halter.
—Alex Apatoff, Peoplemag, 29 Sep. 2023
Elsewhere, Rosalía's dusty pink halter skewed a touch more casual (as did her subsequent athleisure look).
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 9 Sep. 2023
Ditto Seema in a silver lurex halter that seems to reflect her new willingness to take a relationship risk; ditto Nya in her prints.
—The Styles Desk, New York Times, 24 Aug. 2023
The singer wore a black halter tank, leather flared pants and platform shoes.
—Genevieve Cepeda, Peoplemag, 25 Sep. 2023
The longline bra offers a bit more coverage than a bra and has the cutest adjustable spaghetti halter straps.
—Dana Leigh Smith, Glamour, 15 Sep. 2023
Kunis opted for a sparkly black halter top and light pink pants for the flick’s Los Angeles red carpet premiere.
—Brittany Natale, ELLE, 10 Aug. 2023
Dumi is living in her own world and this collection reflects that with blazer halter tops, pleated skirts, and intricate ruching.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 5 Oct. 2023
After attending the Prada spring/summer 2024 show in a little black halter dress and a sweet hair bow, Watson stepped out in another head-to-toe Prada look that easily could have been stolen from Rory Gilmore's closet (if Rory had an Emily Gilmore-sized budget, that is).
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 24 Sep. 2023
Verb
The JLo Beauty founder also flashes a smile while wearing a strappy thong and halter neck sheer, lace teddy.
—Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 18 Oct. 2023
The dazzling dress was perfectly fitted to Gomez's figure, and featured a short train and halter neck.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 5 Oct. 2023
Timothée Chalamet wore a barely there halter top to the Venice Film Festival in 2022.
—Jacob Gallagher, WSJ, 16 June 2023
Hannah wore a custom dress designed by Vera Wang: a mermaid-style gown with a sweetheart neckline, tulle halter high neck and plunging back.
—Caitlyn Hitt, Peoplemag, 8 May 2023
Fan dazzled in a shimmery Tony Ward halter dress and green cape that featured oversized sleeves and a train.
—Charmaine Patterson, Peoplemag, 12 Mar. 2023
But gradually, with the help of alfalfa cubes, Buddy got comfortable enough for Ben to pet him, then brush his fur, then halter him.
—Maggie Shannon Jill Cowan, New York Times, 17 Sep. 2022
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'halter.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Old English hælftre; akin to Old High German halftra halter, Old English hielfe helve
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of halter was
before the 12th century
Dictionary Entries Near halter
Cite this Entry
“Halter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/halter. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
halter
noun
hal·ter
ˈhȯl-tər
1
a
: a rope or strap for leading or tying an animal
b
: a set of straps enclosing an animal's head to which a lead may be attached
2
: a rope for hanging criminals : noose
3
: a woman's blouse or top that is held in place by straps around the neck and across the back and that leaves the back, arms, and midriff bare
halter
verb
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