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half-hour Definition

half·-hour (hafo̵ur)

noun

  1. 30 minutes
  2. the point 30 minutes after any given hour

adjective

  1. lasting for 30 minutes
  2. occurring every 30 minutes

half-hour Related Forms
half·-hourly adjective, adverb
half-hour Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • spend: I spent a rich half-hour doing exactly what my family did 30 years ago.
  • take: I'm taking a half-hour off from my current obsession, Peter Hammill's solo records, well, the early ones anyway.
  • have: If we had a busy half-hour, I used to go outside for a cigarette thinking that it relieved the stress.
  • run: Extra busses will be introduced, running every half-hour, during Monday to Friday peak periods.
  • leave: The U1 leaves every half-hour from outside to Highfield Campus.

Adjective modifier

  • final: The Irishman went on to complete a hat-trick before being rested for the final half-hour.
  • last: Make cream sauce in last half-hour of roast cooking time.
  • first: I must say I didn't enjoy the first half-hour.
  • next: Within the next half-hour, the northern tower of the World Trade Center also collapsed.
  • full: What You're Missing On The Forum Do you want the ten minute argument, or the full half-hour?
  • good: Bake in a moderate oven for a good half-hour.

Modifies a noun

  • sitcom: The record is held by a lady at LWT, to whom Humphrey Barclay advised me to send a half-hour sitcom.
  • episode: Six half-hour episodes are being recorded in London next month.
  • comedy: For many Americans in the 1950's, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet was a pleasant half-hour comedy featuring very likeable people.
  • documentary: A half-hour long documentary on the campaign will air on ITV on October 24 at 19.30.
  • slot: Had a smashing time playing the half-hour slot last night.
  • mark: Just on the half-hour mark, the Blaze moved up a gear.

Noun used with modifier

  • opening: The only goalmouth action in the opening half-hour came from the Italians with 5 efforts at goal without City managing anything.

Possessives

  • drive: The historic cities of Exeter and Plymouth are both about a half-hour's drive away.

Preposition: of

  • film: The last half-hour of this film is non-stop action, offering explosions, more French countryside ( !