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

But they also say he can be difficult—stubborn, prone to drone on in half-hour monologues, and at times naive about geopolitics.

From The Wall Street Journal

We moved again in 1969, when I was 9, to a small, tan, three-bedroom house with dark brown shutters in New City, about a half-hour north of New York City.

From The Wall Street Journal

One athlete might think it’s fun to wake up with a cold plunge, a half-hour plank and 1000 free throws at 4 a.m.

From The Wall Street Journal

Home winger Daniel Sinani chopped just wide with 21 minutes gone and forced a desperation save from a corner on the half-hour mark.

From Barron's

In the half-hour slow movement, harp and violins ascended melodic scales, allowing each step its magical, mystery share of exultation.

From Los Angeles Times