: an intermission between halves of a game or contest (as in football or basketball)
: involving or working half the standard hours
half-time
adverb
Examples of halftime in a Sentence
Noun
The score was tied at halftime.
The coaches discussed strategy during halftime.
Recent Examples on the Web
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 10 May 2024
May 9, 2024 Sporting responded just on the other side of halftime, thanks to Tzionis.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2024
Donning a black suit and hat accompanied by a cape, the 2024 Super Bowl halftime show headliner, 45, ascended the steps outside New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art Monday night while holding an accessory that looked like a dripping rose.
—Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 7 May 2024
Two minutes after the halftime break, Ochoa made a brilliant save against a close Niall Logue shot in the box.
—Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 7 May 2024
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Usher played a surprise club performance at Jewel at Aria late on Friday, May 3 — his first since headlining the Super Bowl halftime show at Allegiant Stadium in February.
—Ilana Kaplan, Peoplemag, 6 May 2024
Following his big comeback moment at the Super Bowl halftime show, Usher is headed to Little Caesars Arena for a Sept. 12-13 doubleheader on his Past Present Future hits tour.
—Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press, 5 May 2024
Irving came out firing after halftime with five quick points including a 3-pointer to spark a 8-0 run that forced a Clippers timeout.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 May 2024
Harden’s only points after halftime came on a couple of third-quarter free throws.
—Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2024
Ben Church, CNN, 28 Mar. 2024
The Spanish keeper passed the ball straight to Rodrygo who willingly looped the ball over him into the net just before half-time.
—Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
The mass exodus only ramped up after Kai Havertz and Declan Rice made it 5-0 before half-time.
—Ben Church, CNN, 5 Mar. 2024
Natascha Augustin, who was named managing director of Warner Chappell Music Germany in January, started at the company as a half-time intern, rotating among various departments.
—Robert Levine, Billboard, 4 Mar. 2024
Her attendance at the Super Bowl came after half-time performer Usher was announced as the new face of her loungewear, shapewear and underwear brand.
—Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 3 Mar. 2024
In search of an equalizer, Kilgore substituted star striker Alex Morgan into the game at half-time, but the team couldn’t find a way to break down Mexico’s resilient defense.
—Ben Church, CNN, 27 Feb. 2024
Nuñez was brought off at half-time in what may prove to be yet another injury problem for the Reds, on a day where Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota also had to be substituted.
—Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes, 17 Feb. 2024
So does rapper and singer Jelly Roll, and the minute-long spot closes with the big game’s half-time performer, Usher.
—Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Feb. 2024
Noun
Omnicom Group’s Optimum Sports, that will have the telecommunications perennial serve as the lead sponsor for 21 WNBA games shown on Prime Video, and the presenting sponsor of the halftime show that airs during the service’s National Women’s Soccer League matches.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 10 May 2024
May 9, 2024 Sporting responded just on the other side of halftime, thanks to Tzionis.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2024
Donning a black suit and hat accompanied by a cape, the 2024 Super Bowl halftime show headliner, 45, ascended the steps outside New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art Monday night while holding an accessory that looked like a dripping rose.
—Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 7 May 2024
Two minutes after the halftime break, Ochoa made a brilliant save against a close Niall Logue shot in the box.
—Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 7 May 2024
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Usher played a surprise club performance at Jewel at Aria late on Friday, May 3 — his first since headlining the Super Bowl halftime show at Allegiant Stadium in February.
—Ilana Kaplan, Peoplemag, 6 May 2024
Following his big comeback moment at the Super Bowl halftime show, Usher is headed to Little Caesars Arena for a Sept. 12-13 doubleheader on his Past Present Future hits tour.
—Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press, 5 May 2024
Irving came out firing after halftime with five quick points including a 3-pointer to spark a 8-0 run that forced a Clippers timeout.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 May 2024
Harden’s only points after halftime came on a couple of third-quarter free throws.
—Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2024
Adjective
French forward Delphine Cascarino did finally open the scoring for Lyon but Benfica equalized before half-time to keep its faint hopes alive.
—Ben Church, CNN, 28 Mar. 2024
The Spanish keeper passed the ball straight to Rodrygo who willingly looped the ball over him into the net just before half-time.
—Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
The mass exodus only ramped up after Kai Havertz and Declan Rice made it 5-0 before half-time.
—Ben Church, CNN, 5 Mar. 2024
Natascha Augustin, who was named managing director of Warner Chappell Music Germany in January, started at the company as a half-time intern, rotating among various departments.
—Robert Levine, Billboard, 4 Mar. 2024
Her attendance at the Super Bowl came after half-time performer Usher was announced as the new face of her loungewear, shapewear and underwear brand.
—Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 3 Mar. 2024
In search of an equalizer, Kilgore substituted star striker Alex Morgan into the game at half-time, but the team couldn’t find a way to break down Mexico’s resilient defense.
—Ben Church, CNN, 27 Feb. 2024
Nuñez was brought off at half-time in what may prove to be yet another injury problem for the Reds, on a day where Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota also had to be substituted.
—Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes, 17 Feb. 2024
So does rapper and singer Jelly Roll, and the minute-long spot closes with the big game’s half-time performer, Usher.
—Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'halftime.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near halftime
Cite this Entry
“Halftime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/halftime. Accessed 17 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
halftime
noun
half·time
ˈhaf-ˌtīm 
ˈhȧf-
: an intermission marking the completion of half of a game (as in football)
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