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half-miler

American  
[haf-mahy-ler, hahf-] / ˈhæfˈmaɪ lər, ˈhɑf- /

noun

Informal.
  1. a half-mile race.

  2. a runner who participates or specializes in such a race.


half-miler British  

noun

  1. a runner who specializes in running races over half a mile or a similar metric distance

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of half-miler

First recorded in 1930–35; half-mile + -er 1

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.

Although the United States came through sensationally in the field events, scoring altogether 36 points in the broad jump and shot put honors, the third final of the day went to Great Britain whose great half-miler, D. G. A. Lowe, College mate of Harold Abrahams, the Nemesis of the American sprinters, won the thrilling 800 metre run from the swiftest field of middle distance men in the world.

From Seattle Times

Athing Mu, a standout half-miler, lives in New Jersey, where Covid-19 remains rampant and training facilities, most of which are at schools, are closed through the end of the academic year.

From New York Times

Harvick boasts the fifth best driver rating among his competition and has won at the famous half-miler twice before, most recently this same Fall night race in 2016.

From Reuters

Diglio, a history teacher at North Rockland, had a “completely undistinguished” career as a half-miler at William & Mary.

From New York Times

He received an athletic scholarship to Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, where he became captain of the cross-country and track teams and the school’s fastest half-miler.

From Los Angeles Times