half-hour

[haf-ouuhr, -ou-er, hahf-]

noun

1. a period of 30 minutes.

2. the midpoint between the hours.

   The clock struck on the half-hour.

adjective

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

   half-hour programs.

half-hour

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

Other Word Forms

• half-hourly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of half-hour¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425