plural halves
ˈhævz
British ˈhɑːvz
1
: one of two equal or nearly equal parts into which something can be divided
She broke each cookie into halves.
"Which half do you want?" "I'll take the smaller half."
Two halves make a whole.
The price has been reduced by half. [=by 50 percent; by an amount that is equal to one half of the original]
2
a
: either of the two equal periods of playing time in sports like football and basketball
The team fell behind in the first half but rallied in the second half to win the game.
b
: the time when the first half of a game ends
The score was tied at the half. [=at halftime]
3
British, informal
: half a pint of a drink (such as beer)
"What's yours?" "A half of lager, please."
: a number or amount that is equal to one half of a total
"Do you want the whole piece?" "Half would be enough, please."
Thirty students took the exam; half (that number) passed. [=15 students passed]
Half of 30 is/equals 15.
I seem to spend half (of) the day on the phone.
She gave half (of) her money to charity.
Half a million people live in this area.
Do you want half (of) my sandwich?
Half the time the kids are outside playing. [=the kids are often outside playing]
Getting to your destination is half the fun of a vacation. = Getting there is half the fun.
Half the problem is that we do not have enough employees to handle the increased workload.
I waited for half an hour. [=30 minutes]
Please wait (for) half a minute/second [=for a moment] while I try to connect you.
half a dozen [=six] eggs
He's always chasing women half his age. [=women who are much younger than he is]
always used before a noun
1
: equal or nearly equal in size, value, amount, etc., to one half of something
a half cup of coffee
He owns a half share in the company.
a half pound of cheese
a half million people
a half mile away
a half circle
a half dozen [=six] eggs
2
: not complete : partial
She looked at him with a shy half smile.
—often used in combinationa shy half-smile
We need resolute action, not timid half-measures.
1
: to an extent that is equal or nearly equal to half of something
The glass of water is half full/empty.
The crowd was half cheering and half jeering.
She's half French and half Italian. [=one of her parents is French and the other is Italian]
The meeting began at half past two. [=at 2:30] = (Brit) The meeting began at half two.
We arrived at the station at noon, and the train departed at half past. [=at 12:30]
The train departed at half past the hour.
2
: not completely : to some degree : partially
He was only half aware of what was happening.
She had half persuaded me to stay.
The door was half open.
These eggs are only half cooked.
I was half asleep [=very tired; not completely awake] when you called.
She looked half dead. [=she looked very tired/ill]
Cite this Entry
“Half.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/half. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.
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