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

In 2011, a Stanford University study projected that land suitable for cultivating premium wine grapes in California’s North Coast region, which includes Napa and Sonoma, could halve by 2040. — Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026

Trump cut Bears Ears by 85% in 2017 and halved Grand Staircase. — Kerri J. Malloy, The Conversation, 23 July 2026

Recipe information Squeeze juice from 3 large limes, halved, into a small bowl; set juice aside. — Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 July 2026

According to local government figures, homelessness in the city almost halved by 2024 from 2017, though those numbers are rising again from their lowest point in 2021. — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 20 July 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