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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-wey, mid-wey] / 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-wey] / 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

Thiero, who entered the game midway through the fourth quarter when the Lakers cleared their bench, made a memorable playoff debut by scoring his first postseason basket with an emphatic alley-oop dunk over Dorian Finney-Smith.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 27, 2026

He was an instant sensation after making his New York debut at the Lincoln Center, filling in for conductor William Steinberg who fell ill midway through the concert.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

He finished his coaching career there, perhaps fittingly, in a caretaker manager role after Grayson left for Leeds midway through the 2008-09 campaign and Parkes led the Tangerines to a 16th-place finish in the Championship.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

"Liam has always conducted himself with the highest integrity and professionalism following his appointment midway through the season," Chelsea said.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

There were lights on the midway, and you could hear the crackle of the gambling machines and the music of the merry-go-round and the voice of the man in the beano booth calling numbers.

From "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White

Related Words

• halfway