Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for midway. Search instead for Midway+Atoll.
Jump To:
  • 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).
Synonyms

midway

1 American  
[mid-wey, mid-wey] / ˈmɪdˈweɪ, ˈmɪdˌweɪ /

adverb

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


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.


midway British  
/ ˈmɪdˌweɪ /

adjective

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

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

  2. obsolete a middle place, way, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing midway

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.

Since arriving at Borussia Dortmund midway through the 2022-23 season, he has helped the team finish second in the Bundesliga twice and reach the Champions League final once.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

I remember when I started, I had a freak out sort of midway through like, “Oh, this is actually going to come out. It’s not just about the making of it. People will see it.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026

Former Cine & TV Artistes' Association official Amit Behl said filmmakers often cannot afford to halt shoots midway, especially when a large crew or elaborate action sequences are involved.

From Barron's • Jun. 2, 2026

Located midway between Chinese and Iranian waters, the roughly 500-square-mile area usually has calm waters and is within Malaysia’s exclusive economic zone, yet outside of its territorial waters.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

From there, he sighted the advantage he needed: midway down from the mill walls, where the field began to flatten out, a purple granite slab shouldered out of the ground.

From "Pax" by Sara Pennypacker

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "midway" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com