half hour

noun

1
: thirty minutes
2
: the middle point of an hour
half-hourly
ˈhaf-ˈau̇(-ə)r-lē How to pronounce half hour (audio)
ˈhäf-
adverb or adjective

Examples of half hour in a Sentence

Trains depart every half hour. I waited a half hour in line.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Schmidt suggested first moving them by 15 minutes, then a half hour, then an hour closer to the destination time zone. — Laura Ungar, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026 The plane, a Boeing 777-200, was scheduled to land at London’s Heathrow Airport about seven-and-a-half hours later. — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 24 July 2026 The midday bite was tough, as predicted, but the last half hour of light yielded several largemouths, including a six-pounder to finish off the evening. — Kristine Fischer, Outdoor Life, 16 July 2026 The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe is building the new Naskila Resort & Casino in the Piney Woods of deep East Texas, about a four-and-a-half hour drive from Fort Worth. — Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for half hour

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of half hour was in the 15th century

Rhymes for half hour

See All Rhymes for half hour

Browse Nearby Words

half hose
half hour
half-hour glass
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Half hour.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/half%20hour. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

half hour

noun
1
: thirty minutes
2
: the middle point of an hour
half-hourly
ˈhaf-ˈau̇(ə)r-lē, 
ˈhȧf-
adverb or adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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