Definition

Noun: - The initial period of a game or match: "first half" refers specifically to the opening segment of a sporting contest or performance that is divided into two equal parts. It denotes the period of play before the halftime interval.

Usage

• Used to discuss events, statistics, or the performance of teams/individuals during the initial portion of a divided game.
• Typically followed by "of" to specify the event (e.g., first half of the game, season, century).

Examples

• The home team dominated possession throughout the first half.
• She scored two goals in the first half of the championship match.
• We analyzed the key plays from the first half.

Advanced Usage

• "first-half" (as a compound adjective): Used attributively before a noun to describe something related to the first half.
  • The quarterback's first-half performance was exceptional.
  • The company announced its first-half financial results.

Variants and Related Words

• Half (noun): Either of two equal periods into which a game is divided.
• Second half (noun): The latter of the two halves of play.
• Halftime (noun): The short interval between the two halves.

Synonyms

• Opening period
• Initial half
• First period (in contexts where a game is split into halves, not periods)

Antonyms

• Second half
• Latter half

Noun

1. the first of two halves of play