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 pension was halved for the next four years and ended in 1878 amid criticism Marshall’s problems with liquor became an embarrassment to the state. —Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 24 Jan. 2026

Using these tools and workflows can halve your time. —Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026

Oakland Unified School District’s projected $100 million budget deficit for the next school year could be halved to around $50 million, school leaders revealed this week while warning that significant changes must still be made. —Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026

While child mortality has been halved and diseases like polio and HIV are under better control, the lack of personnel remains a critical vulnerability. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 21 Jan. 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