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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web This means the new New York law might be only a half step toward righting one of the wrongs the Nazis committed 80 years ago. 
Joel Mathis, The Week, 23 Aug. 2022 Texas has taken a half step, extending postpartum coverage for six months after birth instead of a year. New York Times, 18 Aug. 2022 Woods nearly collapsed into the sand, but quickly used a golf club and a half step with his left leg to remain upright. Bill Pennington, New York Times, 21 May 2022 Then, with about 130 meters to go, Britain’s Laura Muir also caught her on the outside, then pulled ahead by a half step. Richard A. Lovett, Outside Online, 18 Aug. 2021 The Count’s first Contessa, perdono concludes by relaxing a half step downward from the tonic, G, to F-sharp. Matthew Aucoin, The Atlantic, 23 Nov. 2021 The lowly Diamondbacks pulled ahead in the fifth, San Francisco kept stranding runners and the Dodgers, a half step behind the Giants in the division, were wrapping up a win. Susan Slusser, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 July 2021 Avisaíl García's high chopper up the middle eluded a leaping Bummer and was good enough to score Wong, with García being thrown out at first by a half step on a nice charging play by second baseman Leury García. Todd Rosiak, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 23 July 2021 This Thursday San Francisco took a half step — a later curfew, indoor events, larger gatherings — as vaccinations continued apace and health officials monitored viral trends. Ryan Kost, San Francisco Chronicle, 16 Apr. 2021 See More
Joel Mathis, The Week, 23 Aug. 2022 Texas has taken a half step, extending postpartum coverage for six months after birth instead of a year. New York Times, 18 Aug. 2022 Woods nearly collapsed into the sand, but quickly used a golf club and a half step with his left leg to remain upright. Bill Pennington, New York Times, 21 May 2022 Then, with about 130 meters to go, Britain’s Laura Muir also caught her on the outside, then pulled ahead by a half step. Richard A. Lovett, Outside Online, 18 Aug. 2021 The Count’s first Contessa, perdono concludes by relaxing a half step downward from the tonic, G, to F-sharp. Matthew Aucoin, The Atlantic, 23 Nov. 2021 The lowly Diamondbacks pulled ahead in the fifth, San Francisco kept stranding runners and the Dodgers, a half step behind the Giants in the division, were wrapping up a win. Susan Slusser, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 July 2021 Avisaíl García's high chopper up the middle eluded a leaping Bummer and was good enough to score Wong, with García being thrown out at first by a half step on a nice charging play by second baseman Leury García. Todd Rosiak, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 23 July 2021 This Thursday San Francisco took a half step — a later curfew, indoor events, larger gatherings — as vaccinations continued apace and health officials monitored viral trends. Ryan Kost, San Francisco Chronicle, 16 Apr. 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
1904, in the meaning defined at sense 1