halftime

or half-time

[ haf-tahym, hahf- ]

/ ˈhæfˌtaɪm, ˈhɑf- /

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noun

the period indicating completion of half the time allowed for an activity, as for a football or basketball game or an examination.

Sports. the intermission or rest period between the two halves of a football, basketball, or other game, during which spectators are often entertained by baton twirling, marching bands, or the like.

adjective

pertaining to or taking place during a halftime: The football fans were treated to a halftime exhibition by the marching band.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of halftime

First recorded in 1870–75; half + time

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use halftime in a sentence

For the half-time show, a cheerleader and her doppelgängers perform some hypnotic, pom-pom routines (see 1:11).
Austin Mahone, Grouplove & More Best Music Videos of the Week (VIDEO)|Jean Trinh|June 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
And one 53-year-old Material Girl who is performing the half time show says she would rather date Eli than Tom.
Super Bowl 2012: Can Tom Brady Get Revenge on the Giants?|Allen Barra|February 5, 2012|DAILY BEAST
At half time, her coach berated her, and a shouting match erupted.
Forced to Cheer for Her Attacker|Jessica Bennett|September 15, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Slovenia had a 2-0 lead at half time and then the U.S. showed up, scoring two beauties in the second half.
World Cup Primer|Joshua Robinson|June 12, 2010|DAILY BEAST

In 1897, the rapid abandonment of the half-time system outside the workhouse led to a great advance.
English Poor Law Policy|Sidney Webb
If just one more man caves in we will only be able to run the machine half time, and that's a losing proposition.
The Boy Chums in the Florida Jungle|Wilmer M. Ely
We can only work half time now until the mules come and I can go in and get the electric light.
The Boy Chums in the Florida Jungle|Wilmer M. Ely
"I am sure it's Shuffle and Screw going to work half time," said Harriet.
Sybil|Benjamin Disraeli
To maintain and operate the system at least a half-time technician-programmer would be required.
On-Line Data-Acquisition Systems in Nuclear Physics, 1969|H. W. Fulbright et al.

British Dictionary definitions for halftime

half-time

noun

sport

a rest period between the two halves of a game
(as modifier)the half-time score

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