half step

noun

1
: a walking step of 15 inches or in double time of 18 inches
2
: a musical interval (such as E-F or B-C) equivalent to 1/12 of an octave

called also semitone

Examples of half step in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The famed Rendezvous Ballroom dance floor was so packed, couples would have to do their moves in a close embrace, posture upright while doing short half steps, swiftly shuffling their feet as the partners stepped out and in, over and over, in a rhythmic swing. Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026 LaVine finishes the contest by dunking from a half step inside the free-throw line and going between his legs. Zach Harper, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026 Getting there was a process as well, much like therapy — two steps forward one day, one-and-a-half steps backward the next. Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2025 On both occasions Saturday night, a recipient got a foot to the ball but was a half step too late. Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 14 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for half step

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of half step was in 1598

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Cite this Entry

“Half step.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/half%20step. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

half step

noun
: the pitch interval between any two adjacent tones on a keyboard instrument

called also semitone

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