halftime
Americannoun
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halftimes
plural
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the period indicating completion of half the time allowed for an activity, as for a football or basketball game or an examination.
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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
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of halftime
Explanation
The pause in the middle of a sporting event is halftime. If you're watching the game at home, halftime is your chance to get a snack from the kitchen! As the word implies, halftime occurs exactly halfway through a game. Sports like basketball, soccer, football, and lacrosse all have a halftime during which players can rest and strategize with their coach. Spectators can use the interlude to stretch their legs, grab a hot dog, or watch the halftime show. The first sporting use of this word is first cited in 1867; earlier it meant "half of the time," as in "She's working halftime while she takes college classes."
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.
See Examples For:
Jay-Z will perform at the next Super Bowl halftime show, the NFL announced, confirming last week’s report by Puck News.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2026
"Anticipation as to who Jay-Z might have guest star at halftime for the big game will now kick off," the NFL said in a statement.
From BBC ● Oct. 27, 2026
On Monday, Goodell described Jay-Z’s impact on the Super Bowl halftime show as “extraordinary.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2026
And so I ask: Two lost fumbles before halftime?
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 25, 2026
When we went out after halftime, I talked one of the strikers into switching positions with me.
From "Facing the Lion" by Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton and Herman Viola
Marcus has been there, throughout halftimes, huddles, on the court.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 1, 2026
It still rallied to grab a 52-50 halftimes lead.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 7, 2021
But there are two things about this tournament that are certain: The TV timeouts and 20-minute halftimes will take forever and, more importantly, nothing is guaranteed.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 23, 2021
As the 1995 show and several subsequent Super Bowl halftimes have proven, those moments are not easily manufactured, no matter how many snakes are involved.
From New York Times ● Jan. 30, 2020
There weren’t enough of them to form recognizable letters or shapes—except for a capital “I”—so they didn’t march much at halftimes of games.
From "Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli
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