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

This repositioning, and the approach surrounding it, has included halving the company’s agency roster (an initiative named internally after Marie Kondo to reinforce the joy and efficacy of less) while doubling down on global activations with audience-relevant cultural currency. —Seth Matlins, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025

Affirm’s stock has been on a wild ride this year, halving between mid-February and early April, then staging a strong enough rally to rise above January’s level, in bouts of market volatility that have deterred many companies from listing. —Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 13 June 2025

The changes would, in some cases, halve the allowable density in parts of the city. —Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 11 June 2025

Combine fresh zucchini ribbons and halved cherry tomatoes with olives and feta for a substantial base in this lettuce-free salad. —Erin Hooker, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 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