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

Derived Forms

• half-hourly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of half-hour

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425

Example Sentences

The stocks began Friday trading about flat before tumbling in a half-hour span beginning around 10 a.m.

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

“Having an extra half-hour on the test is not going to get your kid into Harvard.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

Sweeney: It was one of the more audacious half-hour shoots, ever.

From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2026

After a half-hour of deliberations, both networks decided their parties would go on.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2026

Then we listen to the news wrap around itself, repeat at half-hour intervals until we are finally home.

From "Every Day" by David Levithan