ENGLISH
REFERENCE

halftime

n. · adj. · adv.
US //ˈhæfˌtaɪm// UK //hˈɑːftaɪm// half·time
  1. 1 break in a game (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Sport

    the short rest period between the two halves of a sports match.

    the interval between the two halves of a sporting match, such as football or basketball, used for player recovery and coaching.

    Example

    The team was losing by ten points at halftime, but they played much better in the second half.

    Example

    The manager made two tactical substitutions at halftime in a desperate attempt to regain control of the midfield.

    Usage

    Often used without an article in phrases like 'at halftime'.
  2. 2 entertainment show (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate American English Sport

    the music or entertainment that happens during the break in a big game.

    the entertainment or performance, typical of American football, that occurs during the mid-game interval.

    Example

    Millions of people watch the Super Bowl just to see the famous singers during halftime.

    Example

    The halftime performance featured elaborate choreography and pyrotechnics that required months of intensive rehearsal.
    • halftime show
  3. 3 occurring at the break (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate Sport

    happening during or related to the middle break of a game.

    relating to or occurring during the interval between the two halves of a competition.

    Example

    The halftime score was a surprising zero-zero tie.

    Example

    The halftime statistics revealed a significant disparity in possession, despite the scoreline remaining level.

  4. 4 working half the time (adv.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    working for only half of the usual hours in a week.

    for half of the standard working time; synonymous with part-time in specific employment contexts.

    Example

    She decided to work halftime so she could spend more days with her young children.

    Example

    The consultant was contracted to work halftime, providing oversight for twenty hours per week rather than the standard forty.

    Usage

    In this sense, it is more commonly written as two words or hyphenated as 'half-time'.
    • part time
    • full time
Origin

From half- + time.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Last updated June 20, 2026