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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).

midway

¹ American  

[mid-way, mid-way] / ˈmɪdˈweɪ, ˈmɪdˌweɪ /

adverb

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

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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-way] / 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.

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midway British  

/ ˈmɪdˌweɪ /

adjective

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

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noun

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

2. obsolete a middle place, way, etc

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

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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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

midway Midway

Ipswich lost last time out, against Everton, but they gave it a real go even when they went down to 10 men midway through the second half.

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

Wilson was pushed into Hill by Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II midway through the first quarter after a play was whistled dead because of a Minnesota penalty.

From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026

The Philadelphia Eagles were minutes away from a signature win on Sunday, when they led the Los Angeles Rams by 10 midway through the fourth quarter.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026

But it finally lifted midway through the fourth quarter, with quarterback Matthew Stafford leading two touchdown drives that gave the Rams a come-from-behind, 24-20 victory.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 4, 2026

I stop midway and put my arm down, leaving it awkwardly dangling by my side, wondering how quickly I can say I’m thirsty and need to get a drink.

From "Amina's Song" by Hena Khan

Midway through the afternoon, I found myself pushing on sadistic, resistant bike pedals while my lungs screamed and a built-in fan blew in my face.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026

She shares this with Hannah Neeleman, the Ballerina Farm influencer who recently opened a boutique in Midway, Utah, that is driving locals up the wall.

From Salon ● Sep. 12, 2026

Jeff Meyer, a spokesperson for Midway Rising, said Monday that Weber Pierson’s legislation “provides greater certainty” for the developer.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 31, 2026

Exactly three months later, when Walter arrived in his private plane at Chicago Midway International Airport, federal agents stepped forward with a search warrant.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026

Twenty years earlier, at the request of Chicago’s South Park commissioners, Olmsted had studied both Jackson Park and, to its west, Washington Park, and the broad boulevard that connected them, called Midway.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

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