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
see also by half, by halves, half again as, in half
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
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
Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Arsenal, with their glass-half-full mentality, might think that dreadful sequence has to come to an end sometime.
—Stuart James, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Some half-heartedly criticized it after it was taken down.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 2026
Shelby Wax, Vogue, 7 Feb. 2026
Nearly half of the district’s elementary schools are half full or less, and 56 have seen their enrollments drop by 70% or more.
—Larry Sand, Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for half
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Noun
In the first half of this year’s Super Bowl, Maye completed six of 11 passes for 48 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.
—Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Arsenal, with their glass-half-full mentality, might think that dreadful sequence has to come to an end sometime.
—Stuart James, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
The 30-second Super Bowl version manages to capture most of the ridiculousness of the lengthier, two-and-a-half-minute version directed by Spike Jonze, which feels as silly and committed as any of your favorite Stiller comedy moments.
—Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Some half-heartedly criticized it after it was taken down.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 2026
Adverb
At her Halloween wedding, Rainey Qualley brought drama and ease to her wedding day hairstyle by pulling her naturally wavy hair half back.
—Shelby Wax, Vogue, 7 Feb. 2026
Nearly half of the district’s elementary schools are half full or less, and 56 have seen their enrollments drop by 70% or more.
—Larry Sand, Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for half
Cite this Entry
“Half.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/half. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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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