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

Australia will halve its fuel excise for three months, while Vietnamese airlines will cut flights from April on concerns around jet fuel constraints and higher prices. —The Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 30 Mar. 2026

Colorado car thefts have more than halved since 2021, when the state reported the most vehicle thefts per capita in the country, according to a new report from the state patrol. —Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 29 Mar. 2026

Schaefer halved New Jersey's lead less than two minutes later on a breakaway, slipping a wrist shot between Markstrom's pads. —CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026

For first offenders, the fine is typically halved. —Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026

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