halve

verb

ˈhav 

ˈhäv

halved; halving

transitive verb

1

a

: to divide into two equal parts

b

: to reduce to one half

halving the present cost

c

: to share equally

2

golf : to play (a hole, round, or match) in the same number of strokes as one's opponent

I lost the next two holes to pars, then halved the fourth by missing an easy putt.

—David Owen

Examples of halve in a Sentence

The store is halving the price of many summer items.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Institute for Fiscal Studies meanwhile noted that the government's failure to find any savings on benefits payments had effectively halved Reeves' margin of error against her main fiscal target in the budget. —Jenni Reid,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 2 July 2025

The Trump administration has sought to halve the science budgets of both agencies in the coming years. —ArsTechnica, 24 June 2025

For such a waive-and-conversion move to work, Johnson would have to clear waivers and then be amenable to a two-way deal that would halve his salary. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 22 June 2025

Peel the eggs, then halve them and gently push, or spoon, out the yolks. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from half half

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for halve

• calve
• have
• nav
• mohave

Kids Definition

halve

verb

ˈhav 

ˈhȧv

halved; halving

1

: to divide into two halves

2

: to reduce to one half

halving the cost