midway
adverb
in the middle of the way or distance; halfway.
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.
The midfielder was substituted midway through the second half, raising concerns about his fitness.
From BBC • Jun. 18, 2026
That’s why officials are considering the unusual step of watering the greens midway through the early rounds to avoid a total deterioration over the course of the day.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 18, 2026
Plum fouled out midway through the fourth quarter after being held to four points in the third quarter.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 16, 2026
Arbeloa, 43, was in charge at Madrid at the end of last season on an interim basis, having replaced incoming Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso midway through the campaign.
From BBC • Jun. 13, 2026
We followed the midway east toward the White City’s dazzling courts.
From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros
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.
