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  • midway
    midway
    adverb
    in the middle of the way or distance; halfway.
  • Midway
    Midway
    noun
    several U.S. islets in the N Pacific, about 1,300 miles (2,095 km) NW of Hawaii: Japanese defeated in a naval battle June, 1942; 2 sq. mi. (5 sq. km).
Synonyms

midway

1 American  
[mid-wey, mid-wey] / ˈmɪdˈweɪ, ˈmɪdˌweɪ /

adverb

  1. in the middle of the way or distance; halfway.


noun

  1. a place or part situated midway.

  2. (often initial capital letter) the place or way, as at a fair or carnival, on or along which sideshows and similar amusements are located.

  3. the amusements, concessions, etc., located on or around this place or way.

Midway 2 American  
[mid-wey] / ˈmɪdˌweɪ /

noun

  1. several U.S. islets in the N Pacific, about 1,300 miles (2,095 km) NW of Hawaii: Japanese defeated in a naval battle June, 1942; 2 sq. mi. (5 sq. km).

  2. an airport in Chicago.


midway British  
/ ˈmɪdˌweɪ /

adjective

  1. in or at the middle of the distance; halfway

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a place in a fair, carnival, etc, where sideshows are located

  2. obsolete a middle place, way, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of midway

First recorded before 900; Middle English midwei, Old English midweg; see mid 1, way 1; midway defs. 3, 4 after the Midway Plaisance, the main thoroughfare of the World Columbian Exposition, held in Chicago in 1893

Explanation

Anything midway between two points is halfway between them. A midway is also a place at a carnival where sideshow entertainment is located. Being midway is being at a midpoint or the center. If you're halfway between home and school, you're midway between those two places. At the end of sophomore year, you're midway through high school. Another type of midway is part of a fair or carnival. On the midway, you'll find sideshow amusements such as a bearded lady, a snake charmer, or someone swallowing a sword.

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Vocabulary lists containing midway

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And though mandatory three-minute hydration breaks midway through each half have been added, Trudeau questions their impact.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb was forced to leave Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals on Thursday after taking a puck to his face on a slap shot midway through the first period.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

Former Cine & TV Artistes' Association official Amit Behl said filmmakers often cannot afford to halt shoots midway, especially when a large crew or elaborate action sequences are involved.

From Barron's • Jun. 2, 2026

Located midway between Chinese and Iranian waters, the roughly 500-square-mile area usually has calm waters and is within Malaysia’s exclusive economic zone, yet outside of its territorial waters.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

He and Nicole stared in horror as Rashawn sailed off the edge, then stalled midway across as if she’d smashed into an invisible wall.

From "Storm Runners" by Roland Smith

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