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• midway
  midway

  adverb

  in the middle of the way or distance; halfway.
• Midway
  Midway

  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).

midway

¹ American  

[mid-way, mid-way] / ˈmɪdˈweɪ, ˈmɪdˌweɪ /

adverb

1. in the middle of the way or distance; halfway.

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noun

1. a place or part situated midway.

2. (often initial capital letter) the place or way, as at a fair or carnival, on or along which sideshows and similar amusements are located.

3. the amusements, concessions, etc., located on or around this place or way.

Midway ² American  

[mid-way] / ˈmɪdˌweɪ /

noun

1. 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).

2. an airport in Chicago.

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midway British  

/ ˈmɪdˌweɪ /

adjective

1. in or at the middle of the distance; halfway

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noun

1. a place in a fair, carnival, etc, where sideshows are located

2. 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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

midway Midway

As Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen took the field midway through overtime on Monday night, he quickly realized who needed to take charge and put his team in position for a game-winning score.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026

The Philadelphia Eagles were minutes away from a signature win on Sunday, when they led the Los Angeles Rams by 10 midway through the fourth quarter.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026

Alison Hammond went to hospital for a heart check-up after leaving ITV's This Morning midway through Friday's show, but has assured followers she is "fine".

From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026

However, Australian umpire Darrel Hair, himself no stranger to controversy, asked for the ball to be changed midway through the afternoon session on the fourth day.

From BBC ● Sep. 29, 2026

Smirking, he nodded to a blue-uniformed man strolling down the midway.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros

Back when the Bears won six titles in the 1930s and 1940s, their defensive titans were dubbed the Monsters of the Midway.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026

Midway through the first half, Foden picked up the ball wide on the right-hand side in his own half and was closed down by Fernandes, who tripped the City man.

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026

She shares this with Hannah Neeleman, the Ballerina Farm influencer who recently opened a boutique in Midway, Utah, that is driving locals up the wall.

From Salon ● Sep. 12, 2026

Exactly three months later, when Walter arrived in his private plane at Chicago Midway International Airport, federal agents stepped forward with a search warrant.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026

Midway through the showing, the screen went blank, light flooded the theater, and a man hurried onto the stage.

From "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand

Related Words

• halfway