halt
1 Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
noun
interjection
verb (used without object)
adjective
noun
-
Archaic. lameness; a limp.
-
(used with a plural verb) lame people, especially severely lamed ones (usually preceded bythe ).
the halt and the blind.
verb
-
(esp of logic or verse) to falter or be defective
-
to waver or be unsure
-
archaic to be lame
adjective
noun
noun
-
an interruption or end to activity, movement, or progress
-
a minor railway station, without permanent buildings
-
to put an end (to something); stop
noun
verb
Synonym Usage
See stop.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of halt1
First recorded in 1590–1600; from the phrase make halt for German halt machen; see hold 1
Origin of halt2
First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English healt; cognate with Old High German halz, Old Norse haltr, Gothic halts, akin to Latin clādēs “damage, loss”
Explanation
Whether it's used as a noun or a verb, the word halt means stop. You can remember this by remembering that when you step on the brake to halt your car (verb), it comes to a halt (noun). English draws on both Romance and Germanic languages, and halt is one that comes from the Old High German haltmachen, which means "to hold." The word suggests a stoppage in the midst of action, and a Chinese proverb states, “We are not so much concerned if you are slow as when you come to a halt.” Consider, also, that a less-used definition of the word is that of "lame" or disabled, which still ties in with the idea of stopping.
Vocabulary lists containing halt
"The Crucible" -- Vocabulary from all 4 Acts
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
100 Great Words from "Fahrenheit 451" -- Part I Vocabulary
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "H"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
With Washington and Tehran agreeing on a deal announced Monday to halt the conflict, here is a recap of the some of the key figures killed in the war:
From Barron's • Jun. 15, 2026
Meanwhile, Antonelli had just passed Russell for second place with five laps to go after a race-long battle when his car ground to a halt because of an electrical shutdown.
From BBC • Jun. 14, 2026
A government lawyer told an appeals court earlier this month that it is too late for the courts to halt the president’s construction of the 90,000-square-foot building where the East Wing once stood.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 14, 2026
This opposing force can halt the collapse before a black hole forms.
From Science Daily • Jun. 14, 2026
My eyes widen and I come to a halt, sending a squirrel skittering into the bushes.
From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
