half-hour

American  

[haf-ouuhr, -ou-er, hahf-] / ˈhæfˈaʊər, -ˈaʊ ər, ˈhɑf- /

noun

1. a period of 30 minutes.

2. the midpoint between the hours.

   The clock struck on the half-hour.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or consisting of a half-hour.

   half-hour programs.

half-hour British  

noun

1. 1. a period of 30 minutes

   2. ( as modifier )

      a half-hour stint on the treadmill

2. 1. the point of time 30 minutes after the beginning of an hour

   2. ( as modifier )

      a half-hour chime

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Other Word Forms

• half-hourly adverb

Etymology

Origin of half-hour

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425

Example Sentences

She then struck twice more before the half-hour mark to all but settle the contest.

From BBC

As the clocked ticked down on the additional half-hour, players realised they were about to be part of something historic.

From BBC

For drivers accustomed to the splash-and-dash of gasoline, sitting around for a half-hour at a public charger looked like an act of madness.

From The Wall Street Journal

By the end of January, she had agreed to a half-hour Zoom call with an investment fund calling itself Stockard Capital.

From The Wall Street Journal

It was only after another half-hour that we dared give the all clear to nine cramped and shaky people.

From Literature