half-century

UK: ˌhɑːf ˈsɛntʃəri | US: ˌhæf ˈsɛntʃəri

Definition

  1. n. a period of fifty years

  2. n. (sports) a score of fifty runs in cricket or fifty points in other games

Structure
half <partial>century <hundred years>
Etymology

The word "half-century" is a compound formed by combining "half" (from Old English "healf," meaning "partial" or "one of two equal parts") and "century" (from Latin "centuria," originally referring to a group of 100 soldiers, later extended to mean "100 years"). The term logically denotes "half of a hundred years" (50 years) and is widely used in both general and sports contexts (e.g., cricket) to signify the number 50.

Examples

  1. The museum celebrated its half-century anniversary with a special exhibition.

  2. The cricketer scored a brilliant half-century in just 30 balls.

  3. Over the past half-century, technology has transformed daily life.

  4. She dedicated a half-century of service to the organization.

  5. The town has grown significantly in the last half-century.