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half-second

British  

noun

    1. 1/120 of a minute of time

    2. ( as modifier )

      a half-second lead over the Finn

  1. a very short period of time; moment

"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

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.

In the 1,000 meters, Stolz trailed the Netherlands’ Jenning de Boo by nearly four-tenths of a second at 600 meters—only to win gold by a half-second.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 21, 2026

Still, even this glossy set of petty tyrants can recognize a creep and a phony in their ranks, sussing which one of their ilk is showing off their veneers for a half-second too long.

From Salon • Apr. 2, 2025

The clock on the mantelpiece in the Cabinet Room ticks surprisingly loudly, marking every half-second.

From BBC • Sep. 14, 2024

Tatar, as with Burakovsky, instinctively hesitated an extra half-second, waited for Korpisalo to commit, then easily stickhandled around him.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 6, 2024

There was a half-second pause as it studied him, baring a row of yellow teeth crammed into a gummy black mouth.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray