half

Definitions

1. noun

   One of two equal parts of something.

   Examples

   • I ate the smaller half of the apple.
   • Cut the cake in half.
2. noun

   One of the two equal time periods of a game.

   Examples

   • A football match has two halves of forty-five minutes.
   • The team scored twice in the second half.
3. noun

   One of the two sides of a sports field.

   Examples

   • Their defense held firm deep in their own half.
   • The ball stayed in the other team's half.
4. noun

   In British use, half a pint of beer.

   Examples

   • He bought a pint for me and a half for Wendy.
   • Just a half, please, I am driving.
5. noun

   In old use, a barrel that holds about twenty-seven gallons.

   Examples

   • The brewery stored its ale in halves.
   • Old barrels came as halves and full hogsheads.
6. noun

   The number one divided by two.

   Examples

   • Three quarters minus a quarter is a half.
   • A half plus a half makes a whole.
   ≈½
7. noun

   At Eton school, one of the three terms of the school year.

   Examples

   • The boys went home at the end of the summer half.
   • He joined the school at the start of the Michaelmas half.
8. noun

   A brother or sister who shares only one parent with you.

   Examples

   • She grew close to her half although they lived in different homes.
   • He has a half in another city.
9. noun

   A child's ticket that costs half price.

   Examples

   • Two and a half to Paddington, please.
   • One adult and a half to the city center, please.
10. noun

    Short for half marathon.

    Examples

    • She finished her first half in under two hours.
    • He is training for a half next spring.