Definition

Noun: A period of fifty years; one half of a century.

Usage

The term "half-century" is used to denote a span of fifty years. It is often employed in historical, demographic, or personal contexts to measure time.

Examples

• The nation underwent tremendous social change in the half-century following the war.
• She celebrated a half-century of service to the company.
• The museum's collection grew significantly over the last half-century.

Advanced Usage

• "To pass/survive a half-century": To endure or exist for fifty years.
  • The small business passed the half-century mark last year.
• "The latter half-century": Referring specifically to the last fifty years of a given period, often the 20th or 21st century.
  • Technological advancement accelerated in the latter half-century.

Variants and Related Words

• Half-centennial (noun/adjective): Less common variant with the same meaning, sometimes used for a fiftieth anniversary.
• Century (noun): A period of one hundred years.
• Decade (noun): A period of ten years.
• Millennium (noun): A period of one thousand years.

Synonyms

• Fifty years
• Five decades

Notes

While "half-century" literally means fifty years, in sports journalism (especially cricket), it can colloquially refer to a score of fifty runs by a single batter. This is a specific, context-dependent usage.

Noun

1. a period of 50 years