What does halftime mean?
Halftime is the interval between the two halves of a game or sporting event, most commonly encountered in association football, basketball, and American football. During this break, players normally rest, coaches confer, and spectators may eat or watch entertainment. The expression “at halftime” refers to what is happening or what the score is at that point, as in “the teams were level at halftime.” “Halftime show” is the familiar label for televised entertainment presented during the break. In American football, the term denotes the scheduled intermission separating the first and second halves; in sports played in two equal halves, it similarly marks the midpoint of play. Halftime is neutral and familiar rather than technical, and its closed spelling is now standard, although “half-time” appears in older writing and some regional usage. The word is especially useful in sports reporting because it identifies a recurring, clearly defined pause rather than an ordinary stoppage or a break between unrelated events.
nounThe break or interval between the two halves of a game or sporting event. In British football usage, the related form “half-time” can also refer to the end of the first half or the score at that point.
- The interval between the two halves of a game or sporting event.
"The teams were level at halftime, but the second half proved far more dramatic."
"The coach made two substitutions at halftime."
"The halftime show featured a musical performance and a halftime analysis segment."
The plural is uncommon; discussions of an individual game normally use the singular “at halftime.”
"The teams regrouped at halftimes in each of the playoff games."
At halftime, players receive a planned intermission—not merely a brief pause in play.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does halftime come from?
Halftime is an English compound formed by joining half and time to name the interval separating the two halves of a game. Older usage often wrote it as “half-time,” while modern spelling normally closes the compound. Half descends from Old English half, whereas time is a separate native English formation, so the compound does not come from a single inherited root.
How halftime is actually used
The closed spelling “halftime” is standard in contemporary English. “Half-time” is a recognized variant and is especially common in British football contexts. The word is normally a noun, although it functions attributively in expressions such as “halftime show.”
Easily confused with halftime
Half-time is a recognized hyphenated variant, especially in British football usage, whereas halftime is the standard closed form for the interval between two halves.