# halftime

/ˈhæfˌtaɪm/ (US) · /hˈɑːftaɪm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/halftime
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. break in a game

noun · CEFR B1

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

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

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

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

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

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

- Millions of people watch the Super Bowl just to see the famous singers during halftime.
- The halftime performance featured elaborate choreography and pyrotechnics that required months of intensive rehearsal.

### 3. occurring at the break

adjective · CEFR B1

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

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

- The halftime score was a surprising zero-zero tie.
- The halftime statistics revealed a significant disparity in possession, despite the scoreline remaining level.

### 4. working half the time

adverb · CEFR C1 · Formal

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

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

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

## Examples

- The score is tied at halftime.
- The coach gave a motivating speech in the locker room during halftime to help the team improve.
- While the players retreated to the locker rooms at halftime, the stadium audience was entertained by a high-energy musical performance on the field.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.