plural halves
ˈhavz 
ˈhävz
1
a
: either of two equal parts that compose something
also
: a part approximately equal to one of these
half the distance
the larger half of the fortune
b
: half an hour
—used in designation of time
half past two
2
3
4
: halfback
1
a
: being one of two equal parts
a half share
a half sheet of paper
b(1)
: that is approximately equal to either of two equal parts that compose something : amounting to approximately half
a half mile
a half million
(2)
: falling short of the full or complete thing : partial
half measures
a half smile
2
: extending over one of two equal parts of something : covering only half
a half window
a half mask
halfness
noun
Synonyms
Noun
Adjective
Adverb
Examples of half in a Sentence
Noun
She broke each cookie into halves.
“Which half do you want?” “I'll take the smaller half.”
Two halves make a whole.
The team fell behind in the first half but rallied in the second half to win the game.
“What's yours?” “A half of lager, please.”
Adjective
a half cup of coffee
He owns a half share in the company.
a half pound of cheese
She looked at him with a shy half smile.
Adverb
The glass of water is half full.
The crowd was half cheering and half jeering.
The train departed at half past the hour.
He was only half aware of what was happening.
She had half persuaded me to stay.
The door was half open.
These eggs are only half cooked.
Recent Examples on the Web
Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 17 Nov. 2024
Having cut a 16-point deficit in half, the Bears tried an onside kick, which Syracuse gobbled up.
—Jeff Faraudo, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
Tara Suter, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
To do just under 300,000 in about a half week of tracking is incredible and proves Tyler is a commercial titan and forced to be reckoned with as a leader of his generation.
—Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2024
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
Election Day 2024 is more than half over as presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris continue to battle it out in swing states across the nation.
—Rachel Barber, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for half 
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Noun
Ellison found junior Toray Davis for a pair of TDs and ran one in to give the Knights a 21-0 lead in the first half that proved too much for Chatfield (8-4) to overcome.
—Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 17 Nov. 2024
Having cut a 16-point deficit in half, the Bears tried an onside kick, which Syracuse gobbled up.
—Jeff Faraudo, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Trump, however, is up 2.6 points in Arizona, 1.7 points in Georgia and Nevada, 1.5 points in North Carolina, just less than 1 point in Pennsylvania and just less than a half point in Wisconsin.
—Tara Suter, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
To do just under 300,000 in about a half week of tracking is incredible and proves Tyler is a commercial titan and forced to be reckoned with as a leader of his generation.
—Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2024
Adverb
In the Price family, going to prison was seen as a badge of honor, or a rite of passage; but the reality of it doesn’t feel half as noble as the idea.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
Election Day 2024 is more than half over as presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris continue to battle it out in swing states across the nation.
—Rachel Barber, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for half
Dictionary Entries Near half
Cite this Entry
“Half.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/half. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
half
2 of 3 adjective1
: being one of two halves
a half sheet of paper
a half mile away
2
: of half the usual size or extent
a half smile
half
3 of 3 adverb1
a
: to the extent of half
half full
b
: to some degree : not completely
half persuaded
2
: by any means : at all
the song wasn't half bad
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