halter
1 Americannoun
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a rope or strap with a noose or headstall for leading or restraining horses or cattle.
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a rope with a noose for hanging criminals; the hangman's noose; gallows.
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death by hanging.
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Also called halter top. a woman's top, secured behind the neck and across the back, leaving the arms, shoulders, upper back, and often the midriff bare.
verb (used with object)
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to put a halter on; restrain as by a halter.
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to hang (a person).
adjective
noun
noun
noun
noun
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a rope or canvas headgear for a horse, usually with a rope for leading
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Also called: halterneck. a style of woman's top fastened behind the neck and waist, leaving the back and arms bare
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a rope having a noose for hanging a person
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death by hanging
verb
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to secure with a halter or put a halter on
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to hang (someone)
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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haltersimple
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halterssimple
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have halteredperfect
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has halteredperfect
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am halteringprogressive
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are halteringprogressive
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is halteringprogressive
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have been halteringperfect progressive
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has been halteringperfect progressive
Past
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halteredsimple
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had halteredperfect
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was halteringprogressive
-
were halteringprogressive
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had been halteringperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of halter1
First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English hælfter; cognate with German Halfter
Origin of halter2
First recorded in 1820–25; from New Latin, special use of Latin haltēr “handheld weight used in long jumps,” from Greek háltēr, derivative of hállesthai “to jump, leap,” akin to Latin salīre with the same meaning; see salient
Origin of halter3
Origin of halter4
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; see origin at halt 2, -er 1
Explanation
A halter is a device that's put on animals to restrain, lead, or train them. Another type of halter is a sleeveless top that ties around the neck. Your dog might wear a halter that keeps her from pulling you down the street, and a farmer might put a halter on a cow before leading her into a milking stall. Another halter is a piece of clothing usually worn by a woman, a shirt that ties behind the neck and leaves the shoulders and arms bare. Originally, halter referred just to the tie that secures the top, but it came to mean the entire garment.
Vocabulary lists containing halter
My Life with the Chimpanzees
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Beowulf
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Life Is So Good
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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.
Some of his most popular designs are the backless halter tops with an elastic chest and waist area trimmed with a silky lace, as well as scrunched crop-top jerseys.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026
Versace’s Marian halter reflected the larger shift away from institutional religion toward individual spirituality.
From Salon • May 17, 2026
In the third picture in the carousel, Swift, wearing a Ralph Lauren halter neck dress and diamond encrusted Cartier watch, flashes her engagement ring - a cushion cut diamond on a gold band.
From BBC • Aug. 26, 2025
Wearing a crisscross black halter top, she beamed while packing up her room to start her freshman year at Florida State University.
From New York Times • Oct. 31, 2023
Taran saw Lluagor and Melynlas tethered among the steeds of the warriors; a little apart, Islimach pawed the ground nervously and pulled at her halter.
From "The Black Cauldron" by Lloyd Alexander
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
