midway
adverb
in the middle of the way or distance; halfway.
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midway
1 American
[mid-wey, mid-wey]
/ ˈmɪdˈweɪ, ˈmɪdˌweɪ /
adverb
noun
-
a place or part situated midway.
-
(often initial capital letter) the place or way, as at a fair or carnival, on or along which sideshows and similar amusements are located.
-
the amusements, concessions, etc., located on or around this place or way.
Midway
2
American
[mid-wey]
/ ˈmɪdˌweɪ /
noun
-
several U.S. islets in the N Pacific, about 1,300 miles (2,095 km) NW of Hawaii: Japanese defeated in a naval battle June, 1942; 2 sq. mi. (5 sq. km).
-
an airport in Chicago.
midway
British
/ ˈmɪdˌweɪ /
adjective
noun
-
a place in a fair, carnival, etc, where sideshows are located
-
obsolete a middle place, way, etc
Etymology
Origin of midway
First recorded before 900; Middle English midwei, Old English midweg; see mid 1, way 1; midway defs. 3, 4 after the Midway Plaisance, the main thoroughfare of the World Columbian Exposition, held in Chicago in 1893
Explanation
Anything midway between two points is halfway between them. A midway is also a place at a carnival where sideshow entertainment is located. Being midway is being at a midpoint or the center. If you're halfway between home and school, you're midway between those two places. At the end of sophomore year, you're midway through high school. Another type of midway is part of a fair or carnival. On the midway, you'll find sideshow amusements such as a bearded lady, a snake charmer, or someone swallowing a sword.
Vocabulary lists containing midway
UCPS 6th Grade Roots List #3
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Charlotte's Web
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Water for Elephants
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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.
But Havertz very nearly was dismissed midway through the second half, when, in the middle of the pitch, he slid in and his studs caught Lesley Ugochukwu on his left calf.
From BBC • May 18, 2026
Trailing by 13 midway through the fourth quarter, the Sparks cut the deficit to six on Plum’s two free throws with 4:27 left but they got no closer.
From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026
The Hurricanes acquired left winger Taylor Hall midway through the 2024-25 season with the hopes of adding a veteran presence to their fourth line.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 10, 2026
The momentum of that game should have been with the hosts following William Osula's equaliser midway through the second half.
From BBC • Apr. 25, 2026
About midway through the first verse, Nathan tested his ability and saw a fish the size of a car swimming near them.
From "Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young
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.
