halve
Americanverb (used with object)
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to divide into two equal parts.
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to share equally.
to halve one's rations with a stranger.
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to reduce to half.
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Golf. to play (a hole, round, or match) in the same number of strokes as one's opponent.
idioms
verb
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to divide into two approximately equal parts
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to share equally
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to reduce by half, as by cutting
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golf to take the same number of strokes on (a hole or round) as one's opponent
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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halvesimple
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halvessimple
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have halvedperfect
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has halvedperfect
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am halvingprogressive
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are halvingprogressive
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is halvingprogressive
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have been halvingperfect progressive
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has been halvingperfect progressive
Past
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halvedsimple
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had halvedperfect
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was halvingprogressive
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were halvingprogressive
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had been halvingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of halve
1250–1300; Middle English halven, derivative of half
Explanation
To halve something is to divide it into two equal parts. When you share a pizza with your best friend, you can cut it in half, or halve it. A recipe might instruct you to halve an onion, and a little kid might request that you halve her peanut butter sandwich and cut the crusts off. You can also halve less physical things — you can halve your expenses if you reduce them by half, or halve the bill for lunch with your sister, if you split it with her. Halve comes from half, originally an Old English word meaning "side" or "part."
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.
The world’s second-largest automaker plans to halve its lineup of cars as part of its second major overhaul in two years.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 10, 2026
Exercise capacity declines by about 1% annually after the late 20s, but regular workouts can halve this age-related reduction.
From Barron's • May 23, 2026
Tech hardware stocks may halve in value, similar to what investors experienced in the sector during the 2008-09 global financial crisis, while software stocks and retail are likely to fall 25% to 30%, Panmure said.
From MarketWatch • May 18, 2026
These aim for the Dutch capital to become carbon neutral by 2050, and for local people to halve their meat consumption over the same period.
From BBC • May 3, 2026
Just when I think I’m getting the hang of something, Asher will halve the time required of us to do certain missions or perform certain moves.
From "Warcross" by Marie Lu
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
